Boolavogue’s French connection

IT was tres bien in Boolavogue National School last Wednesday as the French Ambassador to Ireland visited the school.

The visit which was request- ed by the Ambassador, Jean Pierre Thebault, who was very impressed to hear that the students from Boolavogue NS were studying France and all things French as part of the Blue Star programme.

The Blue Star programme is an education initiative for primary school students in Ireland. The idea of the programme is simple: to foster better understanding and knowledge of the European Union and how it affects the lives of Irish citizens among Irish primary pupils through classroom projects and activities.

Teacher Julie Sinnott who is the newly crowned Rose of Wexford id the Blue Star coordinator at Boolavogue NS. She said that the visit by the Ambassador had fantastic.

‘This year as part of the Blue Star programme we are focusing on France. The Ambassador heard this and his team were in contact with us wondering if he could come visit. It’s a source of great pride at the school that he requested a visit with us.

‘When he arrived all the children in the school performed poems, songs and musical pieces in Irish and French and then a number of children, two parents and the principal spoke in French to the crowd and the Ambassador.

‘Ambassador Thebault then spoke to the crowd about his work as Ambassador to Ireland and what it involves. He then answered a number of questions from the children on a wide range of subjects and also dealt with connections between France and Ireland.’

Every year Europe Day is celebrated and this year’s event is due to take place on May 9. However as the students of Boolavogue NS will be busy preparing for communion around then they decided to celebrate it last Wednesday.

As part of the celebrations the students, staff, parents and Ambassador Thebault all stood in a large circle and shook hands as the handshake for Europe.

‘Afterwards we all enjoyed refreshments with a French fla- vour which were prepared by the parents. The Ambassador was so nice and really gave the children his full attention.’

He was presented with a handcrafted clock from Wexford.

French Ambassador Jean Pierre Thebault visited Boolavogue NS to view the school’s Blue Star programme on France. He is pictured with 5th and 6th class pupils, teacher and newly-crowned Wexford Rose Julie Sinnott and school principal Seamus Dempsey.

French Ambassador Jean Pierre Thebault with Katie Burke David Jordan Kelly, Sam Tyrrell and Joe Ivory.

French Ambassador Jean Pierre Thebault with Billy Phayers.

French Ambassador Jean Pierre Thebault with teacher, and newly crowned Wexford Rose, Julie Sinnott, and school principal Seamus Dempsey.