Bha cuid de na sgoilearan againn aig a bheil Gàidhlig gu math trang anns na saor-làithean.

Some of our Gaelic speaking pupils were very busy during the holidays.

Chaidh Anna NicIll-Fhinein agus Ruaraidh MacAlasdair gu Còig Latha ann an Leòdhas.

Anna MacLennan and Ruaraidh Alexander went to Còig Latha in Lewis.

Anna: ’S e fèis Ghàidhlig ann an Leòdhas a th’ ann an Còig Latha. Bidh clann bho aois 12-18 a’ tighinn ach chan eil àiteachan ann ach airson sia duine deug. Bidh iad a’ fuireach ann an taighean dubh spaideil (na Gearrannan). Bidh a’ chlann ag ionnsachadh òrain Ghàidhlig agus bidh iad gan seinn aig a’ chèilidh mhòr aig deireadh na fèise (Diardaoin). Faodaidh iad ionnsramaidean a thoirt leotha mar an fhìdheall, am bogsa no an guth fhèin a chleachdadh!

Còig Latha (Five Days) is a Gaelic feis in Lewis. Children from age 12-18 can go but there are only places for 16. They get the chance to stay in the ‘Gearranan’ Black-houses. They learn Gaelic songs and get to perform them at the big ceilidh on Thursday. They can take instruments like the fiddle, accordion or they can even just use their own voices.

Ruaraidh: ’S e an Seatrek fear de na rudan as fheàrr a rinn sinn aig Còig Latha am-bliadhna. Chaidh sinn a-mach airson uair gu leth air bàta. Bha tòrr spòrs againn nuair a chaidh sinn a-mach gu muir. Cuideachd, chaidh sinn dhan mhuillinn Clò Mor ann an Siabost. Chunnaic sinn na dòighean a bhios iad a’ cleachdadh airson Clò Mòr a dhèanamh. Chaidh sinn air ais gu na Gearranan le baga mòr de phìosan beaga den chlò, is bha sinn a’ cleadhdadh inneal-fuaigheal airson diofar rudan a dhèanamh leis a’ chlò. Rinn sinn tòrr rudan spòrsail aig Còig Latha, is tha mi ag iarraidh a dhol air ais an ath bhliadhna.

The Seatrek was one of the best things we did at Còig Latha this year. We went out on the boat for an hour and a half. We had so much fun when we went out to sea. We also went to the Harris Tweed mill in Siabost. We saw the different ways they produce the Harris Tweed. We then went back to the black-houses with a big bag filled with little pieces of Harris Tweed. When we were back at the black-houses, we used the sewing-machine to make different things with the tweed. We did so many fun things at Còig Latha and I hope to be there next year.

Chaidh Eòin Cuimeanach dhan Eilean Sgitheanach.

Eòin Cumming went to the Isle of Skye.

Eòin: Anns a’ chiad seachdain de na saor-làithean, chaidh mi gu Sabhal Mòr Ostaig anns an Eilean Sgitheanach airson ceithir latha airson cùrsa Ceannas Spòrs Ìre 1 a chosnadh. Bheireadh seo cead dhomh seiseanan-spòrs a ruith do chlann fo shùil inbheach. Bha mi ag ionnsachadh ciamar a bhruidhninn ann an dòigh sìmplidh agus furasta a thuigisinn. Dh’ionnsaich mi mar a chuirinn seisean air dòigh agus mar a chùmainn clann fo smachd. Aig deireadh na seachdain ruith mi seisean còmhla ri fear eile agus bha seo air a mheas. Tha mi toilichte gun d’ fhuair mi troimhe. Tha mi a-nis a’ faireachdainn nas cofhurtail ann a bhith a’ teagasg spòrs agus geamannan do chlann. Chòrd an cùrsa rium gu mòr agus rinn mi caraidean math. Mholainn an cùrsa do dhaoine eile a dh’iarradh cothrom seiseanan-spòrs a ruith.

In the first week of the holidays, I went to Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic college in Sleat, Isle of Skye, for four days to gain Sports Leadership Level 1. This will enable me to run sport sessions for children under adult supervision. I learnt how to communicate in a simple and understanding way, plan and deliver sessions, take in various factors to do with the session and the participants, and how to keep children under control generally and in exceptional circumstances. At the end of the week, I ran a mock session with a partner and this was assessed. I am pleased that I passed. I now feel much more comfortable in teaching sports and games to children. I enjoyed the course very much and I made new friends. I would certainly recommend this course to others who would like to be able to run sporting sessions for children.