Ms T Reilly and Ms Davey visited a school outside Toledo in Spain in November. The school was very welcoming and accommodating in providing a wonderful experience for us. We observed many lessons involving the use of digital devices, STEAM, PE and Robotics. The school has started the CARMEN Project allowing all children in Grade 4, 5 and 6 to download their textbooks on their tablets. This was interesting to see in action.
​ We enjoyed conversing with the staff and children who were thrilled to practice their English. 
We also took part in a cooking lesson of Migas, a traditional dish in the area. We visited many historical sites in the area of Toledo, for example, the Town Hall, Cathedral and the UNESCO World Heritage site Alcázar de Toledo.

Over the Halloween break, Ms Mc Kenna and Ms Gillen went to Lisbon, Portugal. They participated in a course in Wellbeing in Nature: Outdoor Activities for Mental & Physical Health. In this course they learned how important it is to become aware of the nature around us and how it affects our everyday lives. They explored ways in which we can use the nature around us to help us academically. They participated in many activities which could be used in the classroom to foster a positive atmosphere, increase academic performance and to decrease stress. 
They also enjoyed exploring all of Lisbon’s culture and main attractions. They visited many of the parks including Parque Eduardo VII and the Estrela Garden. They also visited the beautiful beach in Cascais where they engaged in the course activities including sense walks and meditations. 
They had a great learning experience and are looking forward to implementing all that they learned into their classroom and sharing with the whole school.

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On October 14th and 15th, St. Ronan's welcomed 22 students and 6 teachers from a school in Colleferro, Italy. Last May a group of 6 students and teachers from our school visited their school and had a wonderful time so we were delighted to host them all, and the show them what St. Ronan's, Clondalkin and Dublin have to offer!
They were greeted at the school gates by the whole school and then a group of 12 students were tasked with escorting the group on a tour and bringing them from class to class. They attended lessons in a variety of classes in the school, Irish, History, Art, Digital, yoga, Maths and PE. They were, also, treated to a wonderful piano recital and fabulous Irish dancing from Elizabeth, Cali and Isabella. 
.The visitors were blown away by the Irish hospitality and were thrilled with their time in St. Ronan's. They found it very interesting for them to see the similarities and differences in the Irish and Italian education system.
We were so pleased to host the school on this Erasmus mobility and look forward to hosting more in the future.

Over the Easter holidays, Mr O Donoghue, Mr Walsh, Ms Byrne and Ms Gillen went to Prague, Czech Republic. They attended a course focusing on using AI in the classroom with Critical Thinking. In this course they learned how to use different apps and websites that can be used in the classroom. They made comic books, songs, games and many other things using these apps which are very useful in the classroom. 
They had opportunities to collaborate with other teachers who were participating in the course. There were teachers from Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Germany. They learned from these teachers by sharing their best practices and learning about their schools. 
They went on a walking tour around the city of Prague where they saw many of Prague's famous sites including The Prague Castle, The Astronomical Clock and The Charles Bridge. They also visited the Old Town Square which had Easter Markets on at the time, they sampled some traditional Czech food and enjoyed traditional Czech singing and dancing. They also went on a boat cruise on the Vltava River where they got to experience the views of the city from the water. 
They are looking forward to using their knowledge and the resources in the classroom in the near future and sharing their new experiences with all the staff.

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6 children and 4 staff members from St. Ronan's tool part in an Erasmus trip to Rome, Italy. During this time, they visited 2 schools in Colleferro, Italy and took in some excellent site seeing adventures. 
On day 1 of arriving in Colleferro we were met with the most wonderful, warm welcome from the staff, students and the principal at 'Leonardo Da Vinci Middle School'. The children waved Irish and Italian flags and the words of Amhrán na bhFiann echoed through the yard! It was the most fabulous sight to behold.
The children, from both schools, greeted each other and asked each other some questions. We were so taken aback by all the Irish decorations around the school, 2 children even played 'Molly Malone' on flutes! After a tour of the school and the various classrooms, our children took part in a baking lesson where they made cookies and an italian biscuit called Taralli. The children completed a technical drawing lesson before lunch. 
On Day 2 of our school visits, we went to 'G.P. Delfino Primary School'. Again, we received an warm welcome and went on a tour of the school. The children took part in a Q& A session with the students and it was very interesting to hear the differences and similarities between Italian and Irish schools.
Our children had great fun taking part in PE games.
We are very grateful to all the staff and the principal for giving us the most amazing welcome, especially Anastasia and Maria Rosaria, who could not have done more for us, before, during and even after our ERASMUS trip! We hope to return the favour in the next school year when we host some of the students from Italy and their teachers in St. Ronan's.

In our spare time, we took in all Rome city has to offer, including visits to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Villa Borghese, Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major where Pope Francis lies in rest and we were also so lucky to be in Rome when Pope Leo was announced as the next Pope. It was such a historical event and one we will never forget.

My trip to Florence was an unforgettable experience, combining learning, culture, and new friendships. I attended a course on Artificial Intelligence, where we explored tools like ChatGPT, Meta’s AI platforms, and many other emerging technologies. The course was both engaging and eye-opening, giving me a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping our world. I was joined by a diverse group of participants from Lithuania, Estonia, Hungary, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Greece. It was inspiring to share ideas and learn alongside people from so many different backgrounds.Outside the classroom, Florence offered a stunning backdrop to our studies. The city is rich in history and beauty. We visited the iconic Duomo, with its impressive dome by Brunelleschi and intricate facade. The Uffizi Gallery was another highlight—seeing masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci in person was breathtaking. We also wandered through the narrow streets of the historic center, crossed the Ponte Vecchio, and enjoyed panoramic views from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Florence is also a paradise for food lovers. I had the chance to try traditional Tuscan dishes like ribollita (a hearty vegetable soup), pappa al pomodoro (tomato and bread soup), and the famous Florentine steak. The gelato was some of the best I’ve ever tasted, and every meal was a celebration of local flavor.
This trip was more than just a course—it was a cultural exchange, a chance to explore one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, and a step forward in my understanding of AI. I came back with new skills, lasting memories, and friendships that span across Europe. Florence left a lasting impression on me, both professionally and personally.

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Ms. Walsh, Mr. O’Donoghue, and Ms. McKenna recently took part in an Erasmus visit to a primary school in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. During their time there, they observed lessons, exchanged teaching ideas with staff, and gained insight into the Spanish education system. They also had the chance to interact with students and learn about the school’s approach to learning and classroom activities.
The visit provided a valuable opportunity to explore different teaching methods and build connections with educators in another European country. Outside of the school, they also had the chance to experience the culture of Las Palmas, making it a rewarding and enriching trip. The teachers look forward to applying what they learned to their own classrooms and sharing their experiences with colleagues.

In December, 6 children and 3 teachers travelled to Dusseldorf,
Germany on an Erasmus Trip.
We visited a school for 2 days in Gelsenkirchen where we were
paired with 6 children of a similar age. We did a baking workshop,
made keyrings in an art lesson, saw a robotic class and got a tour of
the school. We visited a coal mining museum in Bochum to learn
about the history of coal mining in Germany and visited the
Christmas Markets in Essen and Dusseldorf.
We travelled to Cologne for a day trip. In Cologne we saw the
Cathedral, climbed to the bell tower, visited the Lindt Chocolate
Museum and did a VR Travel Experience of Cologne.
Other highlights of our trip include ‘Hop on Hop off’ Bus tour, eating
lots of crepes and churros, ice-skating and playing games in the
hotel.
It was a great experience for everyone involved with lots of fun and
memories made.

Ms Davey and Ms T. Reilly recently completed a week of job shadowing in the town of Rosolini, on the island of Sicily. The school they visited had a kindergarten, primary school and middle school in one building. They got to experience a typical day in a Sicilian school. This included observing teachers in various class levels, meeting the Principal, conversing with the children, telling them about St. Ronan's and showing them our school website. They were very lucky to accompany the drama group to watch their annual performance of a Greek Tragedy in an outer amphitheatre high in the mountains. It was very interesting to note the similarities and differences in our educations systems.