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.

Over the Easter Holidays, Miss Lynch and Miss McKenna attended a project management course in Reykjavik, Iceland. They were introduced to the etwinning platform and to Erasmus projects that can be completed with schools across Europe. They also created and worked on an upcoming project with teachers from Spain and Germany. They thoroughly enjoyed the course and are excited to complete this project and hopefully many more. They also look forward to sharing their new knowledge with members of the staff and implementing it across the school. They also had a wonderful time exploring Iceland's main attractions. ​

Ms Nestor, Ms Cassidy, Ms Lynch and Ms Cullen attended a course on ICT and outdoor teaching and learning from the 25th-29th March 2024 in Valencia, Spain. This course focused on how to include ICT in the classroom and provided the teachers with new knowledge on how to use a range of apps and websites, such as trello, AI and gamma. Outdoor learning was also a main focus during the week as a lot of time was spent outside visiting museums and participating in Tai-Chi in the Turia Gardens. The teachers are looking forward to sharing and implementing their new knowledge. ​

In February, six of our sixth class students along with 3 teachers traveled to Berlin, Germany for five days as part of our Erasmus Exchange Programme. The students spent two days visiting Charlotte Salomon Elementary school. During this time, the students got a tour of the school, participated in English lessons and visited a Technikmuseum with the students from the school. They really enjoyed chatting and spending time with the German students. They spent the rest of their time in Berlin sight seeing. Some sights that they visited were the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and the Jewish Museum. The students had a fantastic trip and have great memories of their time in Berlin! ​