Erasmus

Some of the teachers in Scoil Bhríde have gone on Erasmus courses in Europe over the last year. Ms. Doyle and Ms. Young went to Iceland where they learned all about the importance of bringing school life to the outdoors. Ms. Sheehan and Ms. Downes went to Barcelona in May where they learned about creating a positive school environment for the staff and students of our school. They shared some of their learnings with the staff on our first Croke Park day in September and will do so again throughout the year. Ms. Barrett went to Sicily where she completed a course in Yoga and Meditation. In August, Ms. Sheehan, Ms. Downes and Ms. Clohessy embarked on the same course in Florence. They will begin an e-twinning project with their classes and some of the children from a school in Greece in the coming weeks.

The courses have provided an amazing opportunity for the teachers to learn new skills and gain knowledge from our European counterparts and then share our learnings with our students and other staff members. Ms. Doyle, Ms. Young, Mr. Nerney and Mr. Stritch will go away in October.

Happy Hearts, Bright Minds: Growing Positivity Together

Happy Hearts, Bright Minds is an engaging eTwinning project designed for primary school students from Greece and Ireland. This project aims to introduce young learners to the principles of Positive Education, focusing on building happiness, kindness, and resilience in both the classroom and their everyday lives.

The project will begin with simple, age-appropriate activities that help students recognize and celebrate their own strengths and the strengths of their peers. Through storytelling, creative arts, and group games, children will explore concepts such as gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness.

Each month, students from the partner schools will participate in shared activities, such as creating Kindness Calendars, where they record daily acts of kindness or crafting Happiness Boxes, filled with things that make them feel joyful and safe.

These activities will be shared through video exchanges, allowing students to learn from and connect with their peers in other countries.

Additionally, the project will include Mindful Moments, short daily practices where students focus on their breathing, practice being calm, and reflect on what makes them feelgood. Teachers will guide these sessions, helping students develop simple mindfulness habits that they can use throughout their lives.

Throughout Happy Hearts, Bright Minds, students will work together to create a Positivity Poster that represents the shared values and positive experiences they’ve learned during the project. This poster will be a collaborative piece of art, with each school contributing drawings, words, and symbols that reflect their journey.

The project will culminate in a virtual Positivity Parade, where students will present their posters, share their experiences, and celebrate the friendships they’ve made. This final event will not only highlight the creative work of the students but also reinforce the importance of positivity, kindness, and well-being in their young lives.

By the end of the project, students will have a stronger understanding of how to be kind to themselves and others, how to appreciate the good things in life, and how to stay positive even when things get tough. Happy Hearts, Bright Minds will leave a lasting impact on these young learners, setting the foundation for a lifetime of well-being and happiness.

Time Schedule and Suggested Activities

This project will span five months, providing primary school students with opportunities to engage in positive education activities, share experiences with peers in other countries, and build important life skills.