Erasmus + meeting in Ireland: "BCreAtive"  From May 12 to May 17

Two students and three adults attended the school in Cardonagh in Ireland.  On Monday, meeting different cultures started for us in a noisy, crowded walkway full of students, all dressed in uniforms -  in gray skirts or trousers and blue blouses.

Icebreaking activities took place in the school playground, for example Gaelic Football This year the school team has won an Ulster final and they have their teams in Markey Cup Final. So their expertise is very high to build teams and support the students to achieve literally their goals.  In the afternoon we started our work on a dress, the subject of "Trashcouture, which we had to start in our country, for the forthcoming fashion show on Thursday. Junk Kouture is an amazing way to get creative and put all your wildest ideas out there. Of course, the main point of Junk Kouture is to recycle and give things that would usually be thrown away a new life. This is a very important topic and it’s great to see so many other young people getting involved. We are very glad we did Junk Kouture as it has brought us closer. It’s an experience we will never forget.

On Tuesday, we arrived in Derry, which is in Northern Ireland. We remembered the history that suffered through violence and terrorism among the Irish and British. One of the themes of this project is to build the tolerance among different cultures and beliefs. Two guides were ready to show us the complicated history of this city. Although the Irish dialect was often difficult to understand, we were able to extract the most and beat each other very well.

To explore new inspiration sources,  the teachers and students visited the Giant's Causeway the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. Much of the Giant's Causeway is nowadays part of  Causeway Coast World Heritage Site. The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear under the sea. The students could inspire themselves for their work on the trash costumes and Thursday performance.

On Wednesday, a task was given to students to encourage their  autonomy with the acception of the environment and promote their creative thinking through the water activities in Moville. Water is an important natural material that provides hours of absorbing fun and a multitude of wonderful development and learning opportunities.The students were taken out of their comfort zone, given into different groups from different countries and they were let to overcome obstacles on wild water. Water play gives many opportunities for students to develop crucial social skills when they are working with just one other or a whole group. It is a great way for them to learn to share and take turns, as well as developing lots of new vocabulary in different languages.

Thursday

The art teacher was expecting us all in the Kunstraum and so we started to make final preparations for the upcoming fashion show just before 10:00 am. Each nation styled the model with the help of Irinnen. While working on the dress, we were also creating our accessories.  Then a short dress rehearsal took place, where the models were gathered behind the stage. At 2:00 pm, all Erasmus participants and many Irish students gathered in the gym, which had been converted into a catwalk. During the break, a Dutchman entertained us on his guitar and managed to create a mood in the whole hall. Spontaneously even an Irishman showed his talent in singing and playing the guitar.

We really enjoyed working on our dress and we are very proud and happy with how far we have come. We're looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends backstage, and just having a great time.

The stage was set on Thursday, 16th May (thanks Shaun & Danny) for a fashion extravaganza, bringing together this year's Junk Kouture entries, and members of the Erasmus. All the pupils who took part deserve a BIG high-five. It's not easy to take on the catwalk in front of your peers, and it's just as difficult to parade in front of people from another country. Well done the exchange and CCS pupils who put together a great show (with significant input from Ms. McDermott & Ms. McGee). 

 On Friday morning, students attended classes of their peers.  Even iPads were handed out on which a quiz was played.

The teachers could attend and supervised their colleagues for the whole week. We also discussed the issues like safety environment, respect the entitlement of all to a learning, teaching and working environment where the dignity of each person is recognised. Everyone can earn respect, everyone can teach respect.