Muire Gan Smál – Doing it the Green Way and Connecting to Europe

A group photograph of pupils and teachers at Muire Gan Smál and their guests from Spain. Included are: Jack Maguire, Francesca O’Connor, Jamie Geaney, Molly Lynch, Sophie Horan, Principal Seamus Moynihan, Spanish teacher, Manolo Gandia and pupils Emily Nolan, Lilly Brosnan, Julia Kosiorowska, Jean Maguire, Aine Enright, Spanish teacher Enrique Ruiz Cano and Donal Gorman.

**Here fifth and sixth class pupils are accompanied by the boys and girls from Spain on a ‘litter picking walk’ around Castleisland.**

**Teacher Martha O’Mahony with pupils Lisa Daly and Nicole McGee using iPads to show off their problem solving skills and teaching robotics to the students from Spain.**

The Erasmus project at Muire Gan Smál primary school in Castleisland is called ‘Do it the Green Way and Connect to Europe’ and it had its first trial with a visiting school during the week.

The project focuses on incorporating sustainable development goals within the school to work alongside our Green Schools Programme.

“We are also aiming to improve our IT skills, for both staff and students, by working and connecting with other European schools that are experienced in this field,” said project spokesperson and teacher, Donal Gorman.

Sharing Ideas and Strategies

“We hope to broaden our staff and students’ outlooks towards other cultures and to share ideas and strategies that could be implemented in our own school,” said Mr. Gorman.

“We hosted staff and students from a school in Spain during the week and they were given a tour of the school and were treated to some local Irish cuisine, courtesy of the staff at Muire Gan Smal.

Similarities and Differences

“They visited a number of our classrooms and took part in lessons where they discussed the similarities and differences between Spanish and Irish culture.

“They also got a chance to showcase their IT and problem-solving skills by using robotics in third and fourth classes.

“In the afternoon, they had the opportunity to learn the skills of hurling and played a game on our AstroTurf pitch.

Litter Picking Mission

“On one morning the students joined the pupils from Muire Gan Smál and they went on a ‘litter picking’ walk around the locality followed by a play and concert in the school hall where they experienced some traditional Irish music, songs and dances.

“So far it has been a fantastic experience and one that will remain long in the memory for all involved,” Mr Gorman concluded.

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