Board of Education (R.O.I.)
Follow Me – new video and artwork for Religious Education programme launched in Cork
An exciting new video resource for the Follow Me Religious Education programme was launched on Friday, 26th September 2025, at St Fin Barre’s National School, Cork. Follow Me is a Religious Education programme for National Schools under the patronage of the Church of Ireland, the Methodist Church in Ireland, and the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. It is published by the Church of Ireland General Synod Board of Education, and readers can visit its website here: www.followme.ie
The programme consists of eight books supported by online materials.
Introducing the new video, which introduces the pipe organ in a child–friendly way, Dr Jacqui Wilkinson, editor and author of Follow Me and Assistant Professor in Religious Education at Dublin City University, recalled her first conversation with Peter Stobart (Director of Music in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork) about her idea for a video to introduce children to the instrument.
She said: “Many school children only see organs on church visits or hear them played at carol services or other big events. This interactive video titled ‘Pulling Out all the Stops’ introduces primary school children to the different parts of the organ and showcases the many skills of the organist. I want to thank Peter Stobart for taking my seed of an idea and bringing it to life in the wonderful video resource we have today.”
The video was directed and produced by Fuchsia Fishbourne from Mainframe TV and features Peter Stobart, Matthew Breen (Assistant Director of Music at St Fin Barre’s), and children from St Fin Barre’s National School.
Those visiting the school for the launch were Dr Wilkinson, who is co–ordinating the Follow Me redevelopment, Ms Carolyn Good (a member of the Follow Me Committee), and Dr Ken Fennelly and Mrs Susan Ellis (from General Synod Board of Education). They joined members of the school community: Ms Susan Durcan (acting principal), members of the school council, and some of the children who featured in the video, Dean Nigel Dunne, Mr Stobart and Mr Breen.
The video – which is available at www.youtube.com/@FollowMeRE - will be freely available to schools on the Follow Me website and has an accompanying lesson pack compiled by Mr Ian Packham (from Kildare Place School, Dublin) and Dr Wilkinson.
Earlier in the day, everyone had visited St Luke’s National School, Montenotte, to thank Karen Allsopp, special needs assistant (SNA) in the school, who was commissioned by the General Synod Board of Education to create a set of images for the new second class slide decks in the Follow Me programme. As it was the day after SNA Appreciation Day, it was an appropriate time to thank Karen for sharing her talents. The pupils and staff viewed some of Karen’s artwork during assembly. Karen, Mr Eddie Pepper (school principal) and Ms Shilling from Carrigaline National School (whose class will use the artwork) were each presented with a framed print of one of Karen’s pictures.
The vibrant and engaging artwork will be featured in specific lessons about God and Easter and will also be available for schools to print as images for display in classrooms or corridors.
With thanks to Denise Stobart, Communications Officer for the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, for article and photography.
The Board of Education (Republic of Ireland) represents the Church of Ireland in all educational matters applying to the State,
including as an education partner with the Department of Education and other educational bodies. It also supports religious education in primary schools under Protestant management and provides support, training and advice to primary level patrons and boards of management. Enquiries can be made through the Church of Ireland’s online contact form at the following link: www.churchofireland.org/contact
Secretary, Board of Education (Republic of Ireland)
Dr Ken Fennelly