Louise Casseldon's Testimonial
Louise Casseldon speaks about her families GME journey:
My family and I moved to the island seven years ago. We have three daughters: Ellie, who is 21, Imogen, aged 9 and currently in P5, and Amelie, who is 8 and in P4.
Our two youngest daughters both began their educational journey at Sgoil Àraich Shìaboist, where they settled in immediately. Naturally, we had some initial concerns -however, the incredible staff quickly put our minds at ease. Thanks to the full immersion approach, those early worries disappeared in no time.
Their confidence and enthusiasm for learning blossomed straight away, and we knew without a doubt that we had made the right decision.
When I began working in the office at Sgoil nan Loch, the girls moved with me. Once again, thanks to the support of more fantastic staff, they settled in seamlessly.
Imogen started P1 during the first year of Covid, which brought its own challenges—especially as we had no Gaelic at home. However, we were determined to make it work for the girls.
We embraced Gaelic in every way we could: watching BBC Alba, listening to Gaelic radio, and enjoying Gaelic music. My husband even started learning Gaelic on Duolingo, and together with the girls, we soon picked up Gaelic phonics and vocabulary.
They have had opportunities to compete at the Mod, in both solo competitions with and in the school choir. They have been learning new instruments with Torman in Breasclete and even had the opportunity recently to visit Wee Studio. Even our eldest Ellie is learning Gaelic as an Educational Attainment Apprentice with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
Choosing Gaelic Medium Education has been an incredibly rewarding experience for our family. The progress our daughters have made, both in language and confidence, speaks for itself—we’re so glad we made this choice
Tha Louise Casseldon a’ bruidhinn mu fhoghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig agus a’ bhuaidh air an teaghlach aice fhèin.
“Ghluais ar teaghlach a Leòdhas o chionn seachd bliadhna air ais. Tha triùir nighean againn: Ellie, a tha 21, Imogen, aois 9 agus an-dràsta ann am GM5, agus Amelie, a tha 8 agus ann am GM4.
Thòisich an dithis nighean as òige againn aig Sgoil Àraich Shìaboist, far an d’ fhuair iad air adhart cho math. Ged a bha beagan de dh’iomagain oirnn an toiseach, cha do sheas sin fada oir bha an luchd-obrach san sgoil àraich cho taiceil. Bha iad làn misnichd agus dealasach mu bhith ag ionnsachadh sa bhad, agus bha fios againn gun teagamh sam bith gun robh sinn air an co-dhùnadh ceart a dhèanamh.
Nuair a thòisich mi fhèin ag obair san oifis aig Sgoil nan Loch, ghluais a’ chlann nighean còmhla rium. A-rithist, le taic bho luchd-obrach mìorbhaileach fhuair iad air adhart cho math.
Thòisich Imogen air P1 anns a’ chiad bhliadhna de Chovid, rud a bha na dhùbhlan do mhòran ach gu h-àraidh dhuinne leis nach robh Gàidhlig againn san dachaigh. Ach, bha sinne, mar theaghlach, dìoghrasach gun obraicheadh cùisean a-mach. Rìnn sinn a h-uile càil a b’urrainn dhuinn aig an taigh gus a’ chlann-nighean a bhogadh anns a’ chànan - a’ coimhead BBC Alba, ag èisteachd ri Rèidio nan Gàidheal agus cèol Gàidhlig. Thòisich an duine agam fiù 's ag ionnsachadh air Duolingo, agus còmhla ris na caileagan, cha b' fhada gus an do thog sinn fonaigs agus briathrachas Gàidhlig.
Tha mòran chothroman air a bhith aca a bhith a’ farpais aig a’ Mhòd, an dà chuid ann am farpaisean aon-neach agus ann an còisir na sgoile. Tha iad air a bhith ag ionnsachadh ionnstramaidean ùra còmhla ri Torman ann am Breascleit agus bha cothrom aca o chionn ghoirid tadhal air Wee Studio. Cuideachd, tha Ellie, a nighean as sine againn, ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig mar Phreantas Foghlaim aig Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
Tha Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig air a bhith air leth buannachdail don teaghlach againne ann an iomadach dòigh. Tha an t-adhartas a rinn na nigheanan againn, an dà chuid a thaobh cànain agus misneachd, a’ bruidhinn air a son fhèin – cha b’urrainn dhuinn a bhith càil nas rìaraichte leis an t-slighe ionnsachaidh seo.
