TWO YEAR PROJECT: Glenflesk NS and Raheen NS have joined forces as they take part in a special European project with a Polish school.

By Michelle Crean

Two small rural schools from Killarney have teamed up with a Polish school for a two year long project – focusing on diet, exercise, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.

Neighbouring schools Glenflesk NS and Raheen NSwill receive funding to participate in an EU Programme aimed at supporting education, training, youth and sport among young people in Europe.

The project ‘I’m a Super Duper Healthy Trooper’ is part of the Erasmus + Programme to encourage children to examine aspects of their lives and try to make changes to their lifestyles that will have a lifelong impact.

The schools involved, including Jaworzno, near Krakow, hope to achieve this by getting children, teachers and parents to examine their diets, exercise, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.

The Irish National Agency, Léargas, was impressed by the application as the schools aim to foster autonomy in all their pupils where they will learn and practice how to look after their minds and bodies. The children will keep a diary for the duration of the project and this will help them to evaluate their progress. The children will also learn about each other’s countries, schools, cultures and localities.

“Glenflesk and Raheen are delighted to be part of this wonderful initiative and both schools are excited about the two year journey,” Principal of Glenflesk National School, Paul Favier, said:

“It’s a great opportunity for two small rural schools in Kerry to be involved at European level. We look forward to sharing experiences with our partners in Poland, learning from each other and making lots of new friends along the way.”

Joan Mullane, Principal of Raheen NS, added that the most exciting part of the project for the children will be when the pupils get to visit each other’s schools two years in a row.

“Fifth and Sixth class pupils from Glenflesk NS and Raheen NS will travel to Poland in May 2020 and again in May 2021 for five days to meet their counterparts in Poland. The students from Poland will also visit Killarney to spend time in Glenflesk NS and Raheen NS.”