St Joseph's pupils visit European Parliament
Cork-based MEP, Billy Kelleher, last week welcomed a group of pupils and teachers from St. Joseph’s National School in Fermoy to the European Parliament in what was his last group visit before the European Parliament elections in June.
The group, which consisted of nine sixthclass pupils and three teachers, was led by principal, Geraldine
Burke, headed to Dublin by mini-bus, from where they flew to Brussels on Monday, April 15. According to principal Burke, the pupils had been learning about Europe and had contacted the Parliament and MEP Kelleher about the possibility of arranging a trip.
"This came about because we were doing a study of Europe and sustainability and lots of different things. We decided that we’d like to make contact and visit the European Parliament, so that the children could learn about the workings of it".
Despite normally only allowing visitors over the age of 14, an exception was made in this instance, allowing them to see and experience what the European Parliament is all about.
"It was fantastic. First of all, we went to the Parlamentarium which was the visitor centre and after that, we went into the actual European Parliament itself and into the hemicycle where all the debates take place", Ms Burke said.
"Mr Kelleher came in and he did questions and answers with the pupils and then he took us into the hemicycle and he gave us more overview and loads of time. He spoke in relation to Ukraine looking to join the European Union and why they hadn’t joined yet. All those things are relevant to the pupils and relevant to life in Europe at the moment".
EXPOSURE TO DIFFERENT CULTURES
A well- travelled bunch, pupils of St Joseph's NS have spent plenty of time experiencing different countries, cultures and ways of life as the school participates in the Erasmus+ programme.
"We are part of Erasmus so our pupils do travel to Europe. We have been to Sicily and Croatia and we have been to Portugal, we’re going to Greece in May and at the start of May, we have a group from Spain visiting us in Fermoy. We do the Erasmus+ programme with our fifth and sixth class.
"Through our Erasmus project, we have worked on cultural sport. The last school that we visited, they were involved in sustainability and the environment and we went with them out to the beach and did a beach clean," she added.
According to principal Burke, taking part in such programmes and initiatives offers a variety of experiences and opportunities for learning, not just about other countries, but about the pupil's own independence and organisational skills, things such as managing your own belongings, navigating airports and being organised.
MEP for Ireland South, Billy Kelleher, said that he was 'delighted' to support the visit.
“I'm really delighted to be able to sup
port this visit to the European Parliament by the pupils and their teachers. Being able to facilitate such visits to the home of European democracy is a real privilege for me,” Mr Kelleher said.
Mr Kelleher said he hoped that the group enjoyed their visit to the Parliament and to the other European institu
tions.
“The European Parliament is not my parliament. It belongs to all European citizens. Sometimes, we in Ireland, feel a little bit more detached than other Europeans because of our island status. This needs to stop. Ireland is at the heart of the European project despite being on
the physical periphery in the Atlantic Ocean. Our beliefs and our values are as European as anyone who lives in France or Germany and we should be proud of that fact.
“The next European elections are vitally important to Ireland. Europe matters to our citizens, to our businesses, to our farmers and to our communities. I am honoured to serve as Cork’s MEP and will do all that I can, if re-elected, to deliver for our county,” concluded MEP Kelleher.
After a fantastic few days, all associated with the trip from St Joseph's returned on Wednesday, April 17, a little wiser as to the workings of the European Parliament.