Chairperson: Denis Carrigan
Secretary: Caroline Cotter
Carlow–Kilkenny ATHE Féilte Bursary Project 2026
Professional Learning Evenings for Home Economics Teachers
We are delighted to share that St. Laserian’s School, Carlow, in collaboration with the Carlow–Kilkenny branch of the Association of Teachers of Home Economics (ATHE), has been awarded a €5,000 Teaching Council Féilte Bursary to establish a regional professional learning community for Home Economics teachers
https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/feilte-bursary-scheme-2025-successful-applications/
This project brings together teachers from across the Carlow–Kilkenny region to participate in a series of collaborative professional learning evenings focused on:
The aim is to support teacher, strengthen collaboration, and enhance practical classroom learning for students. The Teaching Council has also selected this project as one of the Féilte initiatives to be highlighted this year.
Professional Learning Evening 1
Culinary Skills, Nutrition & Wellbeing
Date: Tuesday 24th February
Time: 7:00–9:00pm
Venue: Christian Brothers College Kilkenny, Dunningstown Road, Kilkenny, R95 X6CX
This practical and engaging evening focuses on nutrition, culinary skills, and cross-curricular links with Physical Education.
Brief Agenda
Professional Learning Evening 2
Textiles, Sustainability & Circular Fashion
Date: Thursday 12th March
Time: 7:00–9:00pm
Venue: St. Laserian’s School, Dublin Road, Carlow R93 N704
This creative and hands-on evening will explore sustainability in textiles and practical approaches to Junior Cycle Creative Textiles.
Contributors include:
The session will focus on sustainable materials, creative design, and classroom-ready textile techniques.
Professional Learning Evening 3
Financial Literacy & Inclusive Practice
Date: Tuesday 28th or Thursday 30th April (TBC)
Time: 7:00–9:00pm
Venue: Kilkenny (Final venue to be confirmed)
This evening will focus on strengthening teacher confidence in delivering financial literacy and supporting inclusive practice within Home Economics.
Contributors include:
Cross-curricular links with Business Studies and inclusive education pathways will be highlighted.
Project Resources & Padlet
A shared Padlet will support collaboration and resource sharing across the three evenings, including teaching ideas, presentations, and classroom resources.
Padlet Link:
https://padlet.com/deniscarrigan1/carlow-kilkenny-athe-f-ilte-bursary-professional-learning-ev-hj11ap46ak7pf6l8
Chairperson: Denis Carrigan Secretary: Caroline Cotter Carlow–Kilkenny ATHE Féilte Bursary Project 2026 Professional Learning Evenings for Home Economics Teachers We are delighted to share that St. Laserian’s School, Carlow, in collaboration with the Carlow–Kilkenny branch of the Association of Teachers of Home Economics (ATHE), has been awarded a €5,000 Teaching Council Féilte Bursary to establish a regional professional learning community for Home Economics teachers https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/feilte-bursary-scheme-2025-successful-applications/ This project brings together teachers from across the Carlow–Kilkenny region to participate in a series of collaborative professional learning evenings focused on: Culinary skills and nutrition Sustainability and creative textiles Financial literacy and Inclusive practice Cross-curricular collaboration The aim is to support teacher, strengthen collaboration, and enhance practical classroom learning for students. The Teaching Council has also selected this project as one of the Féilte initiatives to be highlighted this year. Professional Learning Evening 1 Culinary Skills, Nutrition & Wellbeing Date: Tuesday 24th February Time: 7:00–9:00pm Venue: Christian Brothers College Kilkenny, Dunningstown Road, Kilkenny, R95 X6CX This practical and engaging evening focuses on nutrition, culinary skills, and cross-curricular links with Physical Education. Brief Agenda Welcome and overview of Féilte Bursary project Nutrition for Athletes & Sports Participants – Patrick Elliott (UCD) linking leaving certificate Home Economics with leaving certificate Physical Education. Chef Demonstration: Practical cookery skills for classroom and exam preparation – Tom Phelan (Mount Juliet) linked to Junior cycle Practical exam and LCA Hotel and Catering tasks. Iron Deficiency: Dr Laura Kirwan Leaving Certificate Home Economics Reform update Professional Learning Evening 2 Textiles, Sustainability & Circular Fashion Date: Thursday 12th March Time: 7:00–9:00pm Venue: St. Laserian’s School, Dublin Road, Carlow R93 N704 This creative and hands-on evening will explore sustainability in textiles and practical approaches to Junior Cycle Creative Textiles. Contributors include: Heather Byrne (Wildflower Designs) – Felting workshop https://www.wildflowerdesigns.ie Collaboration with Art teachers to support cross-curricular links The session will focus on sustainable materials, creative design, and classroom-ready textile techniques. Professional Learning Evening 3 Financial Literacy & Inclusive Practice Date: Tuesday 28th or Thursday 30th April (TBC) Time: 7:00–9:00pm Venue: Kilkenny (Final venue to be confirmed) This evening will focus on strengthening teacher confidence in delivering financial literacy and supporting inclusive practice within Home Economics. Contributors include: CCPC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission) MABS Oide – Home Economics Section (L1LP/L2LP and inclusive classroom strategies) Cross-curricular links with Business Studies and inclusive education pathways will be highlighted. Project Resources & Padlet A shared Padlet will support collaboration and resource sharing across the three evenings, including teaching ideas, presentations, and classroom resources. Padlet Link: https://padlet.com/deniscarrigan1/carlow-kilkenny-athe-f-ilte-bursary-professional-learning-ev-hj11ap46ak7pf6l8
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