And just like that… it’s back-to-school time!
With the summer coming to an end and the new school year starting, Déise Today is getting parents, children, and families School Ready with a special week of expert advice on WLR.
From Monday 31st August to Friday 4th September, join Damien Tiernan on Déise Today from 10am to 12 noon, with a special School Ready feature at 11.30am each morning, kindly sponsored by WAMA – Waterford’s Home of Music, Art & Stage.
Each day, Damien will be joined by a trusted expert to share practical advice and helpful tips on everything from healthy lunches and homework to online safety, smartphones, confidence and wellbeing.
Whether you’re a parent trying to get everyone back into a routine, or a student getting ready for a new school year, there’s something for everyone.
The School Ready Line-Up
Monday – Healthy Body, Creative Mind
We kick off the week with Trevor Darmody from WAMA, looking at the importance of keeping children active, creative and confident. From dance and drama to music and performance, Trevor will explore how creative activities can support children’s confidence, self-expression, social skills and overall wellbeing.
Tuesday – Healthy Lunches
Award-winning cookbook author and TV chef Catherine Fulvio joins Damien to talk all things healthy lunches. As a mum herself, Catherine understands the challenge of putting together nutritious lunches that children will actually want to eat! She’ll share practical ideas and inspiration to help make the school lunchbox healthier, more varied and, importantly, appealing to kids.
Wednesday – Homework & Study Skills
How can parents help children establish good homework habits? And what skills will students need as they progress towards important exams? Dan Sheedy, Principal of the Tuition Centre, joins us to share his advice. Dan spent 23 years teaching Geography and History, so he knows a thing or two about helping students develop effective study habits, manage homework and prepare for exam years.
Thursday – Online & Smartphones
As children head back to school, the question of smartphones and online safety is more important than ever. Olwyn Beresford from CyberSafeKids will offer practical advice on keeping children safe online, deciding when the time is right to give a child their first smartphone, and understanding the potential impact that smartphones and the online world can have on young people.
Friday – Health & Wellbeing
We’ll round off the week looking at children’s health and wellbeing, with an expert guest discussing how parents can support their children as they navigate the challenges of a new school year.
School Ready, brought to you by WAMA
The School Ready special is kindly sponsored by WAMA – Waterford’s Home of Music, Art & Stage.
WAMA has been offering tuition since 2004, providing students of all ages and abilities with a welcoming, inclusive environment to learn, develop and perform. Its experienced team and modern facilities offer tuition across music, dance and drama, with students given opportunities to take part in concerts, open mics, plays, musicals, street theatre and outreach programmes.
WAMA’s dance and drama classes cater for children from Junior Infants through to young adults, with a focus on building confidence, self-expression, social skills and a love of the arts in a positive, non-competitive environment.
Whether a child is born for the stage or is naturally shy and less confident, WAMA aims to give every student the opportunity to grow, develop and enjoy the creative arts.
Tune in and get School Ready!
So, pencil Déise Today into your back-to-school preparations!
Join Damien Tiernan on WLR, Monday to Friday from 10am to 12 noon, with the School Ready special at 11.30am each morning.
Five days. Five expert guests. And plenty of practical advice to help make the return to school that little bit easier.
