Comenius Project

Presentation of the collected material about the developing Europe including the expectations (social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural) of the young Europeans and their role in the possible realization of these expectations
Debate on the future Europe (social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural)
Mobile exhibition of the developing Europe including the expectations (social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural) of the young Europeans and their role in the possible realization of these expectations
Preparing a draft copy of the book and the audio dictionary
Deciding the lay out of the book and the audio dictionary
Deciding which country publishes them
Updating of the web page
Evaluation of project meeting
Coordinators review progress and agree on task for new session
Practicing the content of the audio dictionary

November 07- April 08 Assessing the impact of the project in each school by pupils and students
e-mail contact about the results of the assessment
Working on the logo for the cover of the book
Finalizing the content of the book, the audio dictionary, web page and another multimedia products
Coordinators in contact by e-mail

April 08 Final meeting:
Review of the 3 years’ activities
Evaluation of all activities
Exchanging materials for the final report
Making a draft of the final report
Preparation of a possible future Comenius 3 project
Final updating of the web page

Project meeting Almada Portugal
28th January 2008 – 1st February 2008

Monday 28th January 2008

• All the groups arrive in school
• Students and teachers view an exhibition of photographs of Comenius activities
• Meeting with the school principal and visit classrooms and have a tour of the school facilities
• Students a practical mathematics class.
• Student have a guided tour of the old part of Almada city
• Students record the list of words and their slang versions on tape for the audio dictionary
• Teachers attend a project meeting to agree the agenda for the week’s activities
• Teachers agree on the final list of words for the audio dictionary
• Teachers discuss the content of the Comenius book and agree the format of the book
• Teachers discuss a possible new project and what new countries may be involved
• Teachers discuss the final meeting in Bergen and make arrangements about the numbers travelling etc.
• Preparation for the student presentations
• The Hungarian presentation is called “What to do/ what not to do”.
• This presentation is about care of the environment and is presented by Réka Moscanyi and Dora Zamostnyi.
• The Portuguese presentation is given by Nadine Teles, Sonia Correia and Marina Cruz. This presentation is about the environment in Almada and includes topics such as acid rain, deforestation endangered species, global warming, natural disasters and recycling.
• The Norwegian presentation is about Bergen now and in the future. The presenters are Ragna Lovskear, Anne Grothe Espeseth and Emill Wara.

• Teachers go on a walking guided tour of the old part of Almada. They visit the old beach area, the Elevador Panoramidioda Bocudo Vrnto and the Nucleo Naval Museum

Tuesday 29th January 2008

• The Portuguese presentation is about the future. This presentation is given by Nadine Christina Bastos Teles, Gerson Jose Bettencourt des Santos, Emanuel David Ramires Pereira, Andre Miguel Augustus dos Santos. Included in the presentation is the Environment, Education, Transport, Language, Politics, – the Bright side, the dark side. Three essays about the future are read and the students also present their logos.(12 in total)
• The Hungarian presentation is given by Réka Moscanyi and Dora Zamostnyi. It includes the use of computers, students having laptops, and being able to “drink” your subjects. The students also present their logos
• The German essay is read by Fabienne Schróder. It deals with the Sauerland region of Germany and how it may change in the European context. Their logo is presented and explained.
• The Norwegian essays are read by Ragna Lovskear, Anne Grothe Espeseth and Emille Wara. The essays deal with Norway and how it may change in the future in a European context. They also presented and explained their logo.
• The Irish essays were read by Amy Hall and Colm Doyle. The essays dealt with how the Dunshaughlin area may change in the future in a European context. Amy and Colm give a presentation about the Irish language and how may change in the future. The Irish logo is presented and explained.
• Teachers meet to decide on the logo for cover of the comenius book and on the logos to be included in the book
• The work for the next phase of the project was decided on
• Students and teachers visit Lisbon in the afternoon. Attraction visited include the Tower at Belem, the Discovery monument, the Mosterio Dos Jeronimos, one of Portugal’s most famous buildings

Wednesday 30th January 2008
• The comenius group visit Mafra by coach

• Guided tour of the Royal Convent of Mafra – the most important monument of Portuguese baroque buildings. It covers 37,790m2 and includes 1,200 rooms and more than 4,700 doors and windows.
• The group visit a village that has a collection of reconstructed houses from areas of Portugal from the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. These houses give visitors an idea of how living conditions were like in those eras.

• Short drive to the costal area of Ericeriea, this area has long sandy beaches and excellent waves for surfing.
• Teachers have dinner in the Museum da Cidade

Thursday 31th January 2008

• Coach tour to Sintra. Sintra is located in a mountain range bestrewn with palaces, churches and country estates. UNESCO awarded it World Heritage Status (cultural landscape category) in 1995.
• The comenius group have a guided tour of the Regaleira Palace and gardens
• The group also have a guided tour of the very impressive National Palace, which was a summer residence for king Joáo 1(John 1) and King Manuel1
• Return to Almada along a scenic costal drive passing through Oriras, Alges, and Belem, then crossing the Tejo via the Vasco da Gama bridge

Friday 1st February 2008

• Visit to the Casa da Cerca. This is a building that exhibits architectural drawings in particular the works of Portugal’s city and town planner Lúis Vassalo Rosa. The adjoining garden grows plant that has some connection with art and drawing. The garden overlooks the Tejo and has spectacular views of Lisbon and Almada
• Students and teachers meet to see the Irish students give a PowerPoint presentation on the Irish language and how it may change in the future.
• Each country gives an evaluation of the Amada project meeting.
• Presentations are made to the Portuguese co-ordinators Ana Costa and Helena Pedrosa
• Teachers finalise the work for the next term of the project and clarify what each country has to do feor the next meeting in Bergen
Norway is to send the tape to each country. Each country is to write all the words and phrases and send them to Germany
Germany is to add all the words and phrases of the audio dictionary to the web site: www.comenius-bko.eu
Germany will produce a typed list of all the words and phrases form the audio dictionary for the next meeting in Bergen

Portugal will prepare a photographic exhibition of Comenius activities for the Bergen meeting

Hungary will prepare a multi-national quiz of the slang words from the audio dictionary. The quiz will be completed by the students at the final meeting in Bergen.

Ireland will prepare a draft copy of the Comenius book

• Students and teachers meet for a farewell dinner in Almada

Comenius Project Feb 2002 –July 2008

JOHN AMOS COMENIUS (Jan Amos Komensky) was born in 1592 in Nivnice, Moravia, in the area that is now the Czech Republic. Known today as the "Father of Modern Education," he pioneered modern educational methods. A contemporary of Galileo, Descartes, Rembrandt, and Milton, Comenius contributed greatly to the Enlightenment. He was the first to use pictures in textbooks (The Visible World In Pictures, 1658), and believed in what might be called a holistic concept of education. He taught that education began in the earliest days of childhood, and continued throughout life. He advocated the formal education of women, an idea that was unheard of in his day.
His philosophy of Pansophism (meaning "all knowledge") attempted to incorporate theology, philosophy, and education into one. He believed that learning, spiritual, and emotional growths were all woven together. What Comenius referred to as the Via Lucis, or "way of light," was the pursuit of higher learning and spiritual enlightenment bound together. His educational thought was profoundly respected in Northern Europe. He was called upon to completely restructure the school system of Sweden, and there is some evidence he was asked to become the first President of Harvard, an honour he declined because of his leadership of the troubled Moravian Church.
Comenius was a Bishop of the Unitas Fratrum, commonly known as the Moravian Church. He became its President during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648)
During his lifetime, Comenius published 154 books, mostly dealing with educational philosophy and theology. One example which is available online is The Labyrinth of the World.
Comenius died in Amsterdam in 1670
Comenius Project 2002 – 2004
Europe in Euro

Aims

1. To promote a better understanding between teacher and students partners
2. To promote and accept the European identity and citizenship
3. To promote experiences of international teaching strategies and methodologies
4. To promote new forms in teaching of new technologies
5. To open school to the cultural, economical, financial and productive surroundings
6. To support the common European process of education and the euro
History of Comenius Project
Dunshaughlin Community College has been involved with a Comenius Project since 2002. The first meeting took place in Las Palmas, Grand Canaria, Spain.
Mr. Seamus Ryan, and Mr. Dan Toole former principals represented Ireland at that meeting.
Shown below are the other partner schools that attended the first meeting.

Istituto Tecnico Commerciale “Di Vittorio” 2.
Berufskolleg des Hochsauerlandkreises 3.
Escola Secondaria “Elias Garcia”
V. Aquilonia, 50 Paul-Oventrop-Str.7 Praca Gil Vicente
00177 Roma D-59939 Olsberg 2800 Almada
Lazio Nordrhein-Westfalen
Italia Germany Portugal
www.iitalia.com/europaclub
http://www.berufskolleg-olsberg.de/
http://www.esec-elias-garcia.rcts.pt/

IES Nueva isleta –Tony Gallardo 5.
Bjoergvin videregaaende skole
Carretera de los coloradas Strandgt 195, Pb 1979
38008 Las Palmas 5817 Bergen
Gran Canaria Hordaland
Spain Norway
http://www.hordaland-f.kommune.no/bjv

The programme of work for the following year was drawn up at the meeting.

Project Activities for Year 2002 - 2003
Approximate date
Activity Location/ partner

25.04 - 30.04.2002 Project meeting Dunshaughlin (Ireland)
March-July Completing and analysing a questionnaire All partners
March-July Development of project web-site Italy
March-July Comparing the European Charter of human rights with the national constitutions looking for differences and similarities All partners
1-5 October 2002 Students camp in Rome. 180 students with staff from all project partners to have a cultural visit to the City of Rome. Rome
October-November 02 Evaluation of the students questionnaire All partners
9-14 December 2002 Project meeting Almada (Portugal)
January-February 2003 Researching the new opportunities of living and working in Europe All partners
10-15 February 2003 Project meeting Olsberg (Germany)
January-May 2003 Building an e-dictionary of new words/expressions in the respective national languages influenced by the euro and European integration All partners
23-29 April 2003 Project meeting Bergen (Norway)
May-June 2003 Analysing and comparing the national and European political institutions/future workshop on a draft of a future European Constitution All partners
2002-2003 Developing the private e-mail contact between students all partners.

Project Meeting Ireland (24th – 30th April 2002)
Dunshaughlin Community College hosted the second conference with its partners,

Istituto Tecnico Commerciale “Di Vittorio”, Rome, Italy,
Berufskolleg des Hochsauerlandkreises, Germany,
Escola Secondaria “Elias Garcia”, Almada, Portugal,
IES Nueva isleta, Las Palmas, Grand Canaria, Spain,
Bjoergvin videregaaende skole, Bergen, Norway

The theme of the conference was the introduction of the euro and its effects on society.
The project meeting also covered;
 Exchanging experiences on teaching methodologies.
 The United Nations and European Union charter on human rights

The meeting planned a camping trip to Rome. This would involve all the partners as well as 105 students.
The students and teachers involved with Comenius had a tour of the Community College and gave presentations about life and other matters in their homeland.
The group were shown around the historical sights of Co.Meath such as Tara, Newgrange and Trim. A trip to Dublin was organised. The group were royally entertained at a great party of song and dance in The Black Bush Golf club.
Project Meeting. Bergen, Norway. (24th April – 1st May 2002)

Three fifth year students Orla Clarke, Jamie Minnock and Marie Kane researched and presented projects on the Vikings, the EU and its effects on Ireland and the Irish educational system when they along with teacher Mr.Coogan went to Bergen, Norway. While there they spoke to classes about the Irish educational system and the course of Irish history. On their return they briefed us on their findings and continued the e-mail contacts with their host students and teachers.
September – October 2002

 Contact with partner countries continuing.
 Planning for camping trip to Rome.
 Preparing for the international conference on the topic, “Young people and the European Constitution”
 Continuing e-mail contacts with students involved with exchange
 Continuing e-mail contacts with partner schools and the co-ordinating country

International camping - Rome. (1st – 5th October 2002.)

Twenty-two students from fifth year along with Mr. Grant, Ms Clarke and Ms O’Brien packed their sleeping bags and kit and headed to Rome.
The students and teachers attended the International Conference “Young people and the European Constitution” where Irish students gave a presentation of their views on the European Constitution.
Several political representatives and ambassadors of the partner countries took part in the conference, namely the German Ambassador at the Vatican, the Irish Ambassador to Italy, the Cultural Counsellor of the Portuguese Embassy in Rome and the Director of the Italian National Agency in Florence.
The students also participated in guided visits to the monuments of historical and artistic interest and presented oral reports on the places they visited.
October – December 2002
 Students continue with e-mail contacts
 Teachers continue with e-mail contacts with all partner schools
 Portuguese take over as coordinators of the project.
 Preparation for visit to Almada, Portugal. - Ann-Marie Groogan, Séan Conway with teachers Ms Comiskey and Mr O’Sullivan prepared a project on immigrants working in Ireland.
 Immigrants working in Dublin and Philippine nurses working in Navan were interviewed. Those interviewed were asked to complete a questionnaire about living and working in Ireland. The group also researched why workers chose to come to Ireland to work and what difficulties they might encounter. They also collected information from the Irish Refugee Council and the various programmes that are in place to support refugees in Ireland

Project meeting. Almada, Portugal. (8th –14th December 2002.)

Two fifth year students Ann-Marie Groogan and Séan Conway travelled with Ms Comiskey and Mr O’Sullivan to Almada Portugal. This theme of the meeting was as follows:
 Evaluation of camping trip to Rome
 Students and teachers presentation on their experiences.
The experience was considered extremely rewarding as it contributed to strengthening the personal relationships and broadened one’s culture. They was a video and CD presentation, which gave an account of the activities at the campsite and in the city of Rome.
 Comparison and analysis of the results of the questionnaire “Living and working in Europe”.
This dealt with the standard of living of the countries involved as well as the professional qualifications required to work in those countries.
 Developing a web page.
The partners agreed on the overall content of the web page.
 Presentation of the findings on the “Living and Working in Europe”
 Mathematics work shop for students and teachers
 Tile workshop.
Each partner country designed a logo on a tile and the logos were later placed on the web page.

January – May 2003
 Students continue with e-mails contacts.
 Partner countries continue with e-mail contacts
 Developing an e-dictionary of common words and phrases for student interaction. The aim of this exercise was to give students the basic skills of communicating in each language of the participating countries.
 Working with students on the topic of immigration.
 Preparing material for the web page

Project Meeting Olsberg. Germany (17th – 22nd February 2003)

Two fifth year students Suzanne Colgan and Conor McEvoy and two staff members Ms Carroll and Ms Gibney went to Oldenburg Germany during the mid term break.

The themes discussed at the meeting included:

 Difficulties experienced by immigrants integrating into their adapted countries
 How educational systems adapt to large numbers of immigrant workers and their families seeking education and job training.
 Reporting on experiences with immigrants in each partner country.
 Further development of the web page
 Meeting with Socrates representatives and local educational authorities.
 Preparing for meeting in Norway

Project Meeting. Bergen, Norway (11th - 18th May 2003)

Fifth year students Suzanne Colgan and Tracey Redmond and teacher Ms Price headed North to Norway for the second project meeting to be held in Bergen.

The theme of this meeting included:
 Presenting ways of integrating immigrants into our communities
 Special measures that schools need to put in place to assist immigrants integrate into the school community
 Preparing material which would enable the partner countries compare the different educational systems in future meetings

Activities for the school year (2003 – 2004)

September – October 2003
 Selecting information about each country’s educational systems
 Collecting information on the teaching mythologies used
 Evaluation of project by the students

Project meeting Dunshaughlin – Ireland (11th – 18 October 2003)

This was the second time Ireland hosted the Comenius conference.

The theme of this conference was:
 Comparing aspects of the educational systems of each country as it applies to the Comenius project
 Exchanging experiences in teaching methodologies and knowledge acquired through the project
 Collecting material for the web site home page

During the conference they were five meetings to progress the above themes. The students from each partner country gave presentations on their educational system and teachers gave presentations on the teaching methodologies and various methods used on evaluating students.
They was a special presentation given by some Business Studies students relating to Ireland’s role in the expanding EU

The partners went on tours to Dublin, the Hill of Tara, and surface tour of Tara mines, Newgrange, Dalgan Park, Kells and Oldcastle.

Dunsany G.F.C. provided a great evenings entertainment in their clubhouse and treated our guests to the best in Irish music and dance.

October 2003 - February 2004

Planning for the next project proceed during this time. The students involved with Comenius were asked to evaluate the project, taking into account their experiences and knowledge acquired throughout the project. The students were asked to fill out a questionnaire and the results were analysed and collated

Project meeting Las Palmas, Spain (23rd – 29th February 2004)

Richard Ryan and Stephen Markey with teachers Mr Coogan and Ms McStay attended the penultimate conference in the Granaries.
The theme of the conference was:

 Evaluation of the work done by the teachers
 Exchanging experience on the project and the teaching methodologies applied
 Presentation of results of student questionnaires

March to June 2004

 Preparation of final report and evaluation of the Project
 Exhibition of work done on project in school
 Welcome to our home page – inviting students and teachers to visit our web page

Project meeting Almada, Portugal (10th – 14th May 2004)

Ms Sharon Doherty and Christy O Sullivan represented the college at this final meeting of the present Comenius project.

Monday 10th May 2004
 Visit the Naval Base in Alfeite
 Guided tour of the frigate Vasco Da Gama
 Project meeting at school
Evaluating of the project “Europe in Euro”
The Portuguese students gave the final presentation of the student’s evaluation of the questionnaire
 Teacher’s evaluation of the project

Tuesday 11th May 2004
 The Comenius group joined 40 students and 7 teachers from the school in Almada on a tour to Oporto.
 Guided tour of Oporto visiting the main attractions in the city.

Wednesday 12th May 2004
 Walking tour of the central part of Oporto
 Guided tour of the wine caves in Vila Nova de Gaia
 Project meeting discussing the final report for each country.
Exchanging information about each country
Preparation of final report for each country
Conclusion of the summary of Comenius Project
 Return to Almada

Thursday 13th May 2004
 Closing ceremony at Museu da Cidade

The entire Comenius group attended this closing ceremony at the above venue.
Antonio Matos – a city councillor was the guest of honour.
Antonio addressed the meeting and spoke about the history of Almada, its place in Portuguese history and its present functions as it applies to its citizens.
He also explained what Almada has to offer the to the people that live and work in the city. In his address he referred to the importance of the river, the Atlantic, the schools, the sports facilities and the culture of Almada. Mr Matos explained the part played by Almada in changing the political landscape of Portugal. He also stated that Almada has a huge role to play in the developing Portugal.
Ana Graca translated into English what Mr Matos had said to the meeting

Margarida Fonseca then spoke about the Comenius project. She stated that it was a challenge, but a very rewarding one for both the students and staff. Margarida thanked Ana and Helena for their excellent work in co-ordinating the project. She also wished the new project every success.

Georgio and Verner gave us their view of the Comenius project. Georgio gave details of the meeting in Rome, on how Italy was the original coordinator of the Comenius project and how Portugal took over the role of coordinator. In his address Georgio thanked Ana for doing a wonderful job coordinating the project. He also thanked Verner for coordinating the project for Germany.

Gunda then addressed the meeting. In her address she explained how important was to Norway and how it benefited the students and staff in the school. She explained how proud she was that Norway would coordinate the new project. The new project will include new countries and we have a lot to learn from them. Gunda wished Maria Olsen (the new coordinator) the best of luck with the new project.

The meeting was then entertained by a poetry reading from the Norwegian students- Per Oyvind Andersen and Charlotte Spurkeland.

Following this we had a beautiful performance of poetry and dance set to music by the Portuguese students Vanessa Vizinha, Joana Vititagao and Catia Dias. Fernando Rebelo was the teacher that choreographed the piece.

Katherine Stratmann and Anita entertained us by performing the Comenius song “That Was The Project”.
Katherine wrote this song and the musical score was by Gene Raskin.

We then had presentations to Antonio Matos from Germany, Norway and Spain.

The teachers that attended the final meeting in Almada gave a presentation to Ana and Helena for their work in coordinating the project.

 Guided tour of Museu da Cidade
 The Museu da Cidade presented each member of the Comenius group with a gift pack which gave information about the museum and Almada
 Project meeting dealing with the information for the final report. This information was prepared and typed on computer. Copies were then prepared for each partner country.

Friday 14th May 2004
 Visit to Sintra
 Guided tour of Palacio da Pena
 Dinner in Brazilian restaurant

A final report was forwarded to our National Agency Leargas at the end of the project.

In order to continue in the project Mr O’Sullivan attended a preparatory meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania between 12th and 16th October 2004.

Preparatory Meeting Vilnius 12th – 16th October 2004

The purpose of a preparatory meeting is to set up a new Comenius Project.
The following countries were present: Lithuania, Ireland, Norway, Italy, Germany and Portugal.
Five meeting took place where the programme of work for a new Comenius project was complied.

Each country then applies to their National Agencies for permission to join the new Comenius project.
Ireland submitted an application to Leargas to join the Comenius project but the application was rejected.
Ireland resubmitted a new application January 2006 and this time the application was successful.

Comenius Project February 2006 - June 2007

The following countries are taking part in this project

1.
Bjoergvin videregaaende skole 2.
Berufskolleg des Hochsauerlandkreises 3.
Escola Secondaria “Elias Garcia”
Strandgt 195, Pb 1979 Paul-Oventrop-Str.7 Praca Gil Vicente
5817 Bergen D-59939 Olsberg 2800 Almada
Hordaland Nordrhein-Westfalen
Norway Germany Portugal
http://www.hordaland-f.kommune.no/bjv
http://www.berufskolleg-olsberg.de/
http://www.esec-elias-garcia.rcts.pt/

4.
Dunshaughlin Community
College 5.
Kapocs Általános és Magyar-Angol Két Tannyelvû Iskola
Dunshaughlin Co. Meath Kapocs utca 56.
1188 Budapest
Hungary
Ireland
http://www.duncc.ie
kapocsiskola@kapocsiskola.hu

Young Europeans – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Ireland joined this Comenius Project in the second year
\Project Summary
• The project will deal with the new expanded Europe, and the future of the new expanded Europe.
• The project will deal with the past situation of the old Europe (from 1960 to the present)
• The project will focus on the expectation of young Europeans and their role in the future of the new expanded Europe.
• The project will focus on improving the language skills and competences of the young people in the partner schools to facilitate integration and sharing common experiences
• The project will encourage and promote the use of information and communication technologies
• The project will focus on social, economic and environmental aspects of the expanded Europe
• The project will examine human rights issues and the changing pattern of the European Society
• The project will promote citizenship and life long learning

Approximate date
Activity
September 06 International convention for Young Europeans. Coordinators’ meeting
Exhibition- presentation of the 1st year’s work
Update the web page
Informing pupils about the necessary research about past situation of each country (social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural) from 1950 to the present
Evaluation of the impact of the convention on students and teachers (questionnaires)
Coordinators to review progress
Practicing the content of the audio dictionary
September 06-January 07 Collecting research material about past situation of each country (social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural) from 1950 to the present
e-mail contact between students and communication about coordinators
Adding content to the audio dictionary
Updating the web page
January 07 Project meeting:
Presentation of data concerning Europe of the past by mobile exhibition
Debate on chosen topics (social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural) concerning Europe of the past
Giving the assessment criteria for the composition
Evaluation of project meeting
Coordinators review progress and agree on task for new session
Practicing the content of the audio dictionary
Completion of multilingual quiz
January 07-May 07 Updating the web page
Preparing and producing and recording drama activities
Writing essays on chosen topics about past situation of each country(social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural) from 1950 to the present
Preparing questionnaires to evaluate the compositions and dramas
Adding new words and phrases to the audio dictionary
Coordinators in contact by e-mail

May 07 Project meeting:
Presentation of all the prepared materials (video, drama, essay, dictionary, etc)
Updating of web page
Evaluation of the year’s work by students and teachers
Preparation of end of year report
Deciding the criteria for next phase (The future of Europe)
Practicing the content of the audio dictionary
Present results of multilingual quiz
May 07-November 07 Collecting material about the developing Europe including the expectations (social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural) of the young Europeans and their role in the possible realization of these expectations
Adding young people jargon to the audio dictionary
Producing essays about the future of their country/region/area in a European context
Coordinators in contact by e-mail
November 07 Project meeting:
Presentation of the collected material about the developing Europe including the expectations (social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural) of the young Europeans and their role in the possible realization of these expectations
Debate on the future Europe(social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural)
Mobile exhibition of the developing Europe including the expectations (social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural) of the young Europeans and their role in the possible realization of these expectations
Preparing a draft copy of the book and the audio dictionary
Deciding the lay out of the book and the audio dictionary
Deciding which country publishes them
Updating of the web page
Evaluation of project meeting
Coordinators review progress and agree on task for new session
Practicing the content of the audio dictionary
November 07- April 08 Assessing the impact of the project in each school by pupils and students
e-mail contact about the results of the assessment
Working on the logo for the cover of the book
Finalizing the content of the book, the audio dictionary, web page and another multimedia products
Coordinators in contact by e-mail
April 08 Final meeting:
Review of the 3 years’ activities
Evaluation of all activities
Exchanging materials for the final report
Making a draft of the final report
Preparation of a possible future Comenius 3 project
Final updating of the web page

Leargas:

Léagas is Ireland's National Agency for the management of National, European and International co-operation programmes in the areas of Youth Work, Primary and Secondary Education, Vocational Education and Training, and Lifelong Learning.
In all, thirty-five people work in Léargas, all of whom are experts in their particular fields and in policy and programme development in transnational exchange.

Léargas is a not-for-profit organisation, with a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister for Education and Science.
Léargas Mission
To make an ongoing contribution to Ireland's capacity to provide innovative responses to the developing needs of our citizens in an increasingly interdependent world by:
• Educating, developing and broadening the perspectives of Irish young people and those that work with them by exposing them to international and bilateral cooperation programmes
• Contributing to innovation in formal and informal education and vocational training policy and systems through involvement in these programmes.

The Léargas office is situated on 189-193 Parnell Street, Dublin 1
Telephone: +353 +1 - 873 1411
Fax: +353 +1 - 873 1316
email: info@leargas.ie

Jeanette Saunders and Marie Heraughty are the people that assist us during the Comenius project

What funding is available?
The project grant is split into two parts:
The first part is the Standard Amount, which is worth up to EUR 2,000 for co-ordinators of projects and up to EUR 1,500 for partner schools per project. This amount is to cover general costs, including project activities, stationary, software and communication (e.g. telephone bills).
The second part, or Variable Grant, covers the cost of travel and subsistence for project visits to partner countries. The grant depends on the number of travellers, the country travelled to and the duration of the stay.

Project meeting Hungary 11th –15th September 2006.

Four students, Carol Gregan, Christine Hynes, Ciaran Bayly and Eddy Mac Sweeney along with Kathy Loughrey and Christy O'Sullivan travelled to Balaton Akali for the first project meeting of year two
The following is a summary of the project meeting

Monday 11th September 2006.

• Irish students and teachers arrive
• Meeting new students and teachers involved in the project
• Teacher meeting – organising agenda for the coming week

Tuesday 12th

• Trip to Salford – Traditional Hungarian farm.
• Visit cave in Tapolca.
• Visit Szigliget castle. Splendid views of the surrounding countryside.
• Disco in camp

Wednesday 13th

• Various activities organised for students- Basketball, soccer, street hockey, Hurling practice and soccer game between students and teachers (students won 2-0)
• Art and craft work shop – Making Hungarian dolls.

• Folklore night – Hungarian/Norwegian dance routine

• German songs 2 folk songs and “Sauerland”
Irish poems –The stony grey soil (P. Kavanagh) read by Eddy Mac Sweeny
• Chamber music (J Joyce) read by Carol Gregan
• The Weaver played on the tin whistle by Christine Hynes
• The Irish students danced the Siege of Ennis
• All the students and teachers sang Molly Malone
• Christian (Norway) showed us how to disco dance to Caribbean music
• Presentation of Irish Comenius project to teachers

Thursday 14th September 2006
Train to BalatonfÜred and ferry to Tihany. Visited the Benedictine Abbey
• Echo from top of village
• Return to BalatonfÜred and collected spring water near cardiac hospital
• Returned to camp and collected fire wood for camp fire
• Sing song around camp fire
• Karaoke in public room using computer and data projector

Friday 15th September 2006
• Teachers meeting – Review of project meeting
• Evaluation of student and teacher experiences
• Planning project meeting –Ireland
• Presentation by Erika on the Hungarian educational system
• Language quiz
• Irish presentation to Hungarian cook
• Irish students presented a hurly, sliothar, Irish jersey, tin whistle, flag, yearbook and walking stick to Hungarian school
• Language quiz
Winners of quiz
1. Arne Varnholt – German
2. Anna Haukeland – Norwegian
3. Anita Lengyel – Hungarian
4. Ciaran Bayly – Irish
• Wrote wishes on paper and floated them Lake Balaton
• Returned to Ireland.

September - November 2006

• Preparation for project meeting in Ireland
• Preparation of student presentations on the political, social and economic history of Ireland (1950- 1990)
• 1 game, 1 song 1 poem from above era and why they were chosen
• Shay Hickey, Shauna Kinsella, Killian Dennehy, Megan Power and two teachers Mr Reilly and Ms Lawlor are representing DCC in Olsberg Germany next March

Project Meeting - Ireland

Monday 27th November - Friday 1st December 2006

This is the 3rd time that DCC had the honour of hosting a Comenius project meeting. The following summaries the partners involved in the meeting

Country Teacher Email Student Email
Norway Maria Jose
Sanchez Olsen capirota39@hotmail.com

Gina ginamoren@hotmail.com

Sigrid Alvestad, Camilla cleknes@hotmail.com

Erling Werner
Germany Katrin Stratman katrin_stratmann@web.de

Christoph Dommach
Anna-Lena Babilon
Roald Blei Roald_blei@gmx.de

Portugal Ana Costa anavideira@netcabo.pt
João Camacho Joaocamacho1@hotmail.com

Sofia-_almeida_@hotmail.com

Fernando Rebelo Sofia
Hungary Erika Lada
Marian Király
Era.lada@citrumail.hu

Dani Páli
Márk Nádi

• Exhibition of project work so far
• Tapes of the audio dictionary
• Europe of the past 1950 – 1990 (on Power Point) (social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural
• 1 poem, 1 song and 1 game from the above era and explain why the poem, song was chosen
• Plan for project meeting in Olsberg

Monday 27th November
• Welcome of the students and teachers to DCC
• Tour of the school to view specialist class rooms such as Home Economics, Art, Science, Business,
Library, Sports Hall and Computer rooms.
• Project meeting - Teachers and students meet to finalise arrangements for the various activities of the week
• Photographic exhibition of the project meeting in Hungary
• Irish student presentation on Irish Culture (1950-1909). Christine Hynes, Carol Gregan and Ciaran Bayly gave this presentation. Shay Hickey read the poem “Digging” by Seamus Heaney.
Shay also gave a brief history of the poet’s life and his poetry and why he chose that poem

• Shay Hickey, Shauna Kinsella and Killian Dennehy gave a presentation about the Irish economy form 1950 –1990.
• Megan Power explained to the meeting why the song “The Irish Rover “ was chosen. Ciaran O Rourke gave a powerful performance of the song on guitar
• Sigrid Alvestad gave the meeting the background to the Norwegian poem “Kjossing I biblioteket (Kissing in the library). This poem was written Stig Holmås. The poem was read by Gina and Camilla – two Norwegian students
• Maria Sanchez Olsen told us about the Norwegian songs “Tore Tang” and “La det swinge”
• The entire group joined in a sing song session of the Norwegian songs
• Ana Costa, Sofia Almeida and Jaoa Camacho read the poem “O menino da sua mâe (His mother’s child) The reading was accompanied by a slide show of pictures
• Maria Heraughty from Leargas joined the meeting and explained how to complete the new application

Tuesday 28th November
• Christoph Dommach and Anna Lena gave the German presentation. They include details of German culture, famous musicians and sports people. The presentation included details of Germany hosting the Olympic games in 1972 and Germany winning the World Cup
• The meeting was then treated to selection of songs and poems. The German songs included Dschinghis Khan, Kreuzberger Nachte, Ein bisschen Friedenand other well-known German songs. Katrin Stratman accompanied the singers on guitar

• Dani Pali and Mark Nadi gave a very colourful and detailed presentation on the history of Hungary
• The Hungarian poem was called “A sentence about tirrany”

• Ana Costa, Sofia Almeida and Jaoa Camacho gave an excellent presentation of the History of Portugal.

• Gina Eide and Camilla Leknes gave the Norwegian presentation. This presentation gave details of various winter sports that the Norwegians enjoy each year

• Camilla also gave the meeting a insight as to the importance oil fields to the Norwegian economy

• Irish students Siobhan Cookson, Siobhan Duffy and Sorcha Moore Smith present a very interesting power Point comparing the Irish economy with the economies of Hungary, Germany Portugal and Norway

• In the afternoon the students visited class rooms so that they could get a taste of the Irish education system
• Co-ordinators meeting to set out the programme of work for the next phase of the project
• Co-ordinators finalise the activities that need to be completed for the meeting in Olsberg Germany
• Irish Cultural Night – Students Parents and Teachers went to Dunsany GFC club to enjoy a night of Irish traditional music. This relaxing venue gave the Comenius group time to relax and get to know each other better
Wednesday 29th November

• The Comenius group visit The National Stud and The Japanese gardens in County Kildare
• Teachers get together for a meal and music session in Navan

Thursday 30th November
• The Comenius group travel to Dublin to visit such attractions such as Collin’s Barracks, Trinity College, Christ Church and Temple Bar

Friday 1st December

• The Hungarian teachers gave a talk on the Hungarian educational system. This is followed by a question and answer session on the Irish educational system.

• German students and teachers visit various class rooms so that Irish students have an opportunity to practice their German and join in a sing-a-long

• The Hungarian teachers visit the local national school to se first hand the facilities and the special needs programme offered by the school

• The comenius students spend the rest of the day in class rooms

• In the afternoon the co-ordinators had a meeting to evaluate the week’s activities and review the progress of the Comenius partnership so far. The new application form for the next phase of the project is discussed and the relevant alterations are discussed in detail. The programme of activities for the meeting in Olsberg is finalised and the work that the students must present is clarified.
• The Hungarians were due to depart on Sunday 3rd of December but did not depart until Thursday 7th due to the storm.
• I would like to thank the Irish host families Mary and Patrick Hickey, Breda Dennehy and Ms Loughrey for their help in looking after the “stranded” Hungarians!!

December’06 – March ‘07

• Completing the new application form for our national agency Leargas. The format of the application form changed also. Each partner country submits a joint application to their national agencies.
• Up dating the web page www.duncc.ie
• Preparing, producing and recording drama activities about life in the period 1950 – 1990
• Students to prepare games from their own countries dating from 1950 to present day
• Travel arrangements for meeting in Olsberg, Germany finalised

Project meeting – Olsberg Germany

5th – 9th March 2007

Gavan Daly, Cillian Dennehy, Megan Power, Shauna Kinsella and teachers Lillian Sampson and Kevin Reilly represented our school in Germany.

Monday 5th March ‘07
• Meeting of all partners in Berufskolleg des Hochsauerlandkreises (school in Germany)
• Students demonstrate the games from each country dating from 1950 to present day

Tuesday 6th
• Visit to a radiator manufacturing factory in Oventrop

Wednesday 7th
• The Comenius group visit a home called Josefsheim for mentally and physically disabled young people. The group were able observe the work shops that the disabled attend for work experience and life skills
• The Comenius group was treated to a delicious lunch, “Schnitzel – mit Pommes und Salat. (Pork cutlet with chips and salad)
• Students and teachers attended an art workshop in the host school. They painted images on a cloud, which were relevant to their country from the past to present day.
• Students and teachers attend classes in the school

Thursday 9th
The Comenius group travel to Bonn and visit a museum. The museum houses objects dating from World War 1, World War 2 and the unification of East and West Germany.
.

Friday 9th March ‘07
• The students and teachers attend classes and say their goodbyes to everyone
• Return to Ireland

The following gives details of the up coming activities of the Comenius project

May 07-November 07 Collecting material about the developing Europe including the expectations (social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural) of the young Europeans and their role in the possible realization of these expectations
Adding young people jargon to the audio dictionary
Producing essays about the future of their country/region/area in a European context
Coordinators in contact by e-mail
November 07 Project meeting:
Presentation of the collected material about the developing Europe including the expectations (social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural) of the young Europeans and their role in the possible realization of these expectations
Debate on the future Europe (social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural)
Mobile exhibition of the developing Europe including the expectations (social, political, historical, economical, environmental and cultural) of the young Europeans and their role in the possible realization of these expectations
Preparing a draft copy of the book and the audio dictionary
Deciding the lay out of the book and the audio dictionary
Deciding which country publishes them
Updating of the web page
Evaluation of project meeting
Coordinators review progress and agree on task for new session
Practicing the content of the audio dictionary
November 07- April 08 Assessing the impact of the project in each school by pupils and students
e-mail contact about the results of the assessment
Working on the logo for the cover of the book
Finalizing the content of the book, the audio dictionary, web page and another multimedia products
Coordinators in contact by e-mail
April 08 Final meeting:
Review of the 3 years’ activities
Evaluation of all activities
Exchanging materials for the final report
Making a draft of the final report
Preparation of a possible future Comenius 3 project
Final updating of the web page

September – November 2007.

Leargas was in discussion with the Department of Education International section in relation to funding. The final approval for the last year of the project was delayed as a result of these discussions. This left very little time to prepare for the project meeting in Budapest.

Once the approval was given the students were chosen and travel arrangements were finalised.

Project meeting Budapest – Hungary

Portugal did not attend due to their national agency not giving approval in time for the meeting

Louise O Regan, Colm O Flaherty, - Transition year,
Elaine Gannon, Thomas Kerin 5th year as well as Ms Deidre Kelly and Christy O’Sullivan travelled to Budapest.

12th November 2007

• Arrival of all the students and teachers at school.
• Welcome address given by Principal – Erika Lada
• PowerPoint presentation about the school
• Tour of school and visit different class rooms
• Lunch at school
• Tour of Budapest by bus. The guided tour was paid for by the local council

13th November 2007

• Guided tour of the Zila Café – A cake making factory
• Art and craft workshop in school. The themes for the works of art were as follows:
Ireland - Transport in the future
Germany - School of the future
Norway - Room of the future
Hungary – Fun Park of the future
• Presentation by students
The Hungarians presented a video on the environment entitled “Not to do/to do

• The Irish presentation was about expected changes in the Meath area in the future

• The German presentation was entitled - Germany 2020 – 2022

• The Norwegian presentation was entitled - Bergen 2027

• A Project meeting was held after the presentations.
The meeting discussed the next phase of the project and the work that must be done by each partner.
The following is what was decided on
1. A two page essay on: Your local region in the future in a European context
2. A logo for the Comenius book
3. A list of words for the audio dictionary
4. Student presentation on culture in the future
The meeting decided on the dates for the next meetings in Portugal and Norway. The agenda for these meetings was decided on.
A list of words for the audio dictionary was compiled.

14th November 2007

• Guided tour of National Parliament in Kossuth Square
• Shopping in West Point shopping centre
• Students return with their hosts to the school for a party and disco

15th November 2007

• Students and teachers visit the Millenaris Exhibition. This is an interactive adventure centre. Students and teachers were able to use wheelchairs and drive around an obstacle course.
Blind people assisted with an activity in the dark room. Students and teachers had their names printed in Braille.
• The group of students and teachers visit the activity centre where there were many activities one could partake in.
• Students and teachers spend the remainder of the day enjoying the sights of Budapest.

16th November 2007

• Project meeting: Preparations for the next meeting in Almada are finalised.
Teachers clarify the work that must be prepared for the next phase of the programme
• The entire group meet for an evaluation of the Budapest meeting
• Mr Georgio Brand was thanked for his enormous contribution to the comenius projects and we all wished him well on his retirement from teaching
• All the group attended a open air cooking of a pork goulash
• A tree planting ceremony followed which the deputy major attended. Two lime trees were planted, one by the adults and one by the children

17/18 November 2007
• The various groups depart Budapest

Photographs from the Trip to Budapest.

Budapest 1.jpg