A’ Chomhairle a’ cur ceannard ùr an dreuchd ann am Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar - Council appoints new head teacher for Lochaber Gaelic Primary School

’S e Mgr Ciaran Iòsaph MacAonghais ceannard ùr Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar anns a’ Ghearasdan. Thòisich e san dreuchd air an 11mh den Chèitean san Sgoil Ghàidhlig air Rathad Àird Ghobhar sa Chaol. Thuirt an Comhairliche Iain MacFhionnlaigh, Cathraiche Comataidh an Fhoghlaim: “’S e fìor dheagh naidheachd a th’ ann do Bhun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar gu bheil ceannard ùr aca agus tha mi a’ cur fàilte air Mgr MacAonghais dhan dreuchd ùir aige ann an Loch Abar agus do Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd.”

Tha Mgr MacAonghais a’ tighinn dhan Ghearasdan bho Bhun-Sgoil Achadh na Creige san Òban far an robh e na Phrìomh Thidsear Eadar-amail agus ron a sin bha e a’ teagasg ann am Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghleann Dail ann an Glaschu. Tha Mgr MacAonghais fileanta sa Ghàidhlig agus ’s ann às a’ Ghearasdan a tha e bho thùs. Choisinn Mgr MacAonghais Bonn Òir an t-Seann Nòis airson seinn Ghàidhlig aig a’ Mhòd Nàiseanta ann an Dùn Omhain ann an 2018. Ghabh e os làimh dealbhadh tùsail airson cùrsa Gàidhlig na h-Alba air Duolingo agus tha e am measg nam prìomh chom-pàirtichean a tha an lùib a’ chùrsa fìor shoirbheachail sin.

Thuirt Mgr MacAonghais: “Tha mi air mo dhòigh glan gun deach mo chur an dreuchd mar cheannard air Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar. ’S e urram dha-rìribh a th’ ann tilleadh dhan bhaile agam fhèin agus dreuchd cho cudromach a ghabhail os làimh. Tha mi a’ dèanamh fiughair ri bhith a’ togail air an obair ionmholta a rinneadh leis an luchd-obrach, a’ chlann, na pàrantan agus coimhearsnachd na sgoile san fharsaingeachd gus dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil ionnsachadh den ìre as àirde, a tha beairteach ann an cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig, againn do sgoilearan.”

The new head teacher of Lochaber Gaelic Primary School, Fort William, is Mr Kieran Joseph MacInnes.

He took up post on 11th May at the dedicated Gaelic Primary School at Ardgour Road in Caol.

Cllr John Finlayson, Education Committee Chair said: “This is great news for Bun Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar that they have a new Head Teacher and I welcome Mr MacInnes to his new role in Lochaber and The Highland Council.”

Mr MacInnes comes to Fort William from Rockfield Primary school in Oban as Acting Principal Teacher for Gaelic and prior to that taught in Glendale Gaelic Primary school in Glasgow. 

A fluent Gaelic speaker Mr MacInnes originally comes from Fort William. Mr. MacInnes was awarded the Traditional Gold Medal for Gaelic singing at the National Mòd in Dunoon in 2018. He undertook the initial course design and is a lead contributor for the highly successful Scottish Gaelic course on Duolingo. 

Mr MacInnes said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed as Head Teacher of Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar. It is a real privilege to be able to return to my hometown to take up such an important role. I look forward to building on the excellent work undertaken by staff, children, parents and the wider school community to ensure the highest quality of learning for pupils, rich in Gaelic language and culture.”