During the week of Oct 7th John Scottus families hosted 18 students from Latvia, Italy and the Netherlands visiting the school as part of the Erasmus project on Human Rights and Responsibilities. It was a week of great enthusiasm and endeavour from students who produced fantastic videos on various aspects of Human Rights. Special thanks must be given to all the teachers involved in organising the event, namely Ms. Shanahan, Ms. Sweeney and Mr. Bourke.
Here is a report from one of our student leaders – Jack Bruton
We collected the students on the weekend of the 5th and 6th October with great anticipation from The Netherlands, Latvia and Sicily. We brought them to the schools Open Day which just happened to be on that day which was great as they got a great introduction to the school in a more calm environment than that of the following Monday. After the open day we brought them to our houses and gave them a crash course in Irish culture and how we live and brought them to try some of the local cuisine. (A chipper)
Come Monday morning, we came to school with our students and began the resource project where we had to design our perfect school and the ethos we would love to have and what they would bring back to their schools. Leah Telford then gave us and the foreign exchange students a crash course in Irish dancing which got everyone in an Irish mood. We then got lunch and went on a day trip to the Epic museum in the IFSC and then onto the Viking splash which was like a tsunami of culture for the students along with some Irish humour that none of them understood.
On the Tuesday we went on our biggest trip. To Kilkenny. This was a lot of fun. We went to the Dunmore caves and then to Kilkenny castle which was great as it broadened the exchange students knowledge on Irish culture as they got to see Ireland outside of Dublin.
Wednesday was a less spectacular day but was great as we got to work in groups on the project in the school and get everyone’s ideas and views. We then brought our students to play crazy golf and out for lunch as a bonding activity.
On Thursday we were back out and packing. We went to Powerscourt gardens and then onto Glendalough, taking the students from the hustle and bustle of the city and out to the green horizons of Ireland. Then out to Carluccios for a very fancy dinner. ‘‘Twas yummy.
On Friday we finished up our projects and presented them with our fellow exchange students. We then brought them into Grafton street for some last minute shopping for gifts to bring back home.
Sadly on Saturday we had to say our goodbyes and brought them to the airport where we parted ways and looked back on an utterly successful week.
Jack Bruto