At a recent graduation ceremony in the school, 25 participants, together with 26 student tutors received their certificates for completing the Log on, Learn course.

At a graduation ceremony in the school recently 25 participants and their 26 tutors received their certificates . The Log on, Learn Computer course was initiated in the school in 2009 by one of the Gaisce co-ordinators, Susan Eades, and just 10 Transition Year students. Since then the numbers have grown, and many more adults are eagerly awaiting the next course which will take place in autumn 2011.

The best part of the eight week course was getting to know the older people, said the TY girls. Margaret Lynchecaun, who spoke on behalf of the participants, mentioned the kindness and courtesy of the Bower students. Some retired persons who attended the course have found that learning how to use a computer gives them a new skill, essential nowadays. Others had used computers in their workplace, but felt they needed to expand into emails, shopping, etc.

This eight-module programme took the older person’s initial skill level, learning pace, interests and hobbies into account and aimed to build confidence and have fun surfing the net, booking holidays and organising their finances from the comfort of their own homes. All enjoyed the one-to-one lessons held in the computer room in the Bower new school. The initiative was launched nationally on 1st Oct 2008 by the then Minister for Older People, Maire Hoctor. Through the active participation of schools in the community, young people can engage in a programme which can positively change older people’s lives. To date over 165 schools are participating in the programme nationwide.

The programme has won 2 awards in 2009: the ICT Excellence Award and the President’s Awards for the Good Neighbour section.

Bernadette Doyle, on behalf of the Log on, Learn group, presented the La Sainte Union sisters with a sum raised towards the LSU run primary school in Haiti, where Sr Maria Hawkes is working since before the 2010 earthquake. Sr Josepha accepted the donation on behalf of the sisters.