Our 5th class Talbot Dream Space ambassadors recently attended a graduation event held in the Microsoft Dublin offices. During the day they got to code, use Minecraft for Education and use the staff rest and games facilities in the campus and were finally presented with certificates for all their hard work in school. Thanks to Ms Jones for organising the programme for our talented pupils.

Developed in partnership with the Microsoft Dream Space teams in Dublin and Belfast, the Dream Space Ambassador Programme empowers students to pursue their passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths), build confidence, and develop essential skills in creativity, communication, and collaboration.

The student participants gain the relevant tools to support, mentor, and train their peers, families, and even teachers, while enhancing their tech literacy skills for the future.

Dream Space Ambassadors become Dream Space Specialists through online training sessions faciliated by Ms Jones, taking on a leadership role within our school and community. As part of the programme, students in Talbot:

• Demonstrated STEM activities.
• Lead small group sessions or peer training.
• Supported their classmates and educators in learning new skills.
• Acted as STEM role models within the school and community.

Well done to all involved!

Mr Connolly’s class helped the environment and Talbot by planting young tree saplings this week.
The aim is to make a natural fence of hedging between our play area/field and our re-wilded area to promote biodiversity in our school!

We want to help you help keep your child safe.

Do you know the laws on e-scooters? Children, naturally enough, are unsure about some of the laws. And, while we just taught them some of it at assembly today, we’d like to share some key points with you, so you can tell your child if you ever need to.

Here are some questions: The answers are below the questions. 

1. What age must you be to drive an e-scooter? 15, 16, or 18? (It’s news for some children that there is any limit.)
2. What is the speed limit for e-scooters? 20, 25, or 30 kilometres per hour?
3. Does a scooter have to have lights (a) all the time (b) only when it’s dark, or (c) they don’t HAVE to?
4. Must a driver obey signals given by a Garda? Yes, no, or sometimes?
5. Must a driver obey signals given by a school teacher? Yes, no, or sometimes?
6. Must a driver obey signals given by a school warden (Lollipop Lady/Lollipop Man/Lollipop Person)? Yes, no, or sometimes?
7. When can a driver use a footpath (or pedestrian area)? Always, sometimes, or never?
8. Some e-scooters have seats: when can a driver sit while on one? The whole journey, when stopped at lights or wherever, or not at all?
9. Passengers: Different people have different ideas on this, but what’s the law? You can carry just a child, you can carry an adult but not a child, or you can’t carry anyone?
10. Mobile phones: You can hold one but not use it, or you can hold and use it when it’s safe to do so, or you can not hold or use one.

Here are the answers: 

1. You have to be at least 16 to drive an e-scooter.
2. The speed limit is just 20km/hour.
3. A scooter has to have lights all the time.
4. Yes, a driver must obey signals given by a Garda.
5. No, a driver doesn’t have to obey signals given by a school teacher.
6. Yes, a driver must obey signals given by a school warden (Lollipop Lady/Man/Person)
7. A driver can NEVER use a footpath or pedestrian area.
8. E-scooter drivers must not have a seat on their e-scooter: to have one is against the law. And so, the answer is you can’t sit on one at all.
9. You can’t carry anyone.
10. You can not hold or use a mobile phone.

Clondalkin Garda Station asked us to highlight the above you. Clearly, e-scooters should not be used to bring children to and from school. If someone 16 or over gives a lift to a child, the risk to the child of a significant injury is huge.

Thanks for reading all this. More on all this is on the special e-scooter page on the RSA website.