European Studies
The European Commission provides funding for schools to participate in international projects. Loreto College is involved in the present programme, Erasmus+, with partner schools in Mainz, Germany; Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands; Barcelona, Spain and Sandnes, Norway.
EUROSCOLA brings together about 600 students from all over the European Union for a day in Strasbourg discussing aspects of European integration, in multilingual working groups.
In recent years, students from Loreto College have participated in Euroscola on three occasions. Students are assigned to ‘committee’ groups where they debate topics of interest to Europe, and propose resolutions which are then discussed by the full group in plenary session. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/euroscola/en/home.html
Loreto College has a bilateral exchange programme with RGS ‘t Rijks, Bergen-op-Zoom in the south of The Netherlands. This is a school of over 2,700 students, where many of the students take their classes through English. Each year students from Bergen-op-Zoom visit Loreto College in the autumn where they are hosted by the Transition Year students of Loreto College and engage in a varied programme of workshops, activities and excursions. The Loreto students pay a return visit in the spring, where they get the opportunity to experience home and school life in The Netherlands and visit cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp in Belgium.
E.Y.P.– European Youth Parliament. In EYP students model the work of MEPs. An EYP session is split into three distinct parts; Teambuilding, Committee Work and General Assembly. Students initially participate in regional competition and then qualify for national finals and, if successful, international sessions. Loreto College has participated in EYP for many years, with students reaching National finals every year. On two occasions, students have qualified for International sessions. www.eyp.ie
Erasmus+ ARCH project virtual international meeting
Loreto college Cavan has been involved in International Erasmus projects for over 15 years. Our current partner schools are in Norway, Spain, The Netherlands, Romania and Greece. As international meetings of students are not currently possible due to Covid travel restrictions, virtual meeting of students took place this week,
Students from the 6 partner schools met via Teams to discuss topics such as:
- Do you believe social inclusion is possible? Is it necessary? Why?
- What can your school do to promote social inclusion?
- What has your school already been doing about social inclusion.
- What would the ideal city, neighbourhood and school have, in order to be inclusive, in your opinion?
- Do you think that vulnerable social groups faced more difficulties during COVID19 time? Explain.
- Has communication and social inclusion within the school changed as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.
- What is the value of this European project to you?
- Has it helped you feel more connected to your European partners?
- Has it improved your opinion on the EU and European institutions?
Each afternoon the schools made cultural presentations to the group, with our students presenting a selection of Irish music and dance.
It was very enjoyable and educational experience for all involved. Well done to the 5th year students who participated.
