Erasmus+ at Scoil Mhuire, Coolcotts: A Year of European Exchange
Throughout the 2024–2025 school year, Scoil Mhuire, Coolcotts proudly participated in the Erasmus+ programme, building meaningful connections with partner schools across Europe. From teacher exchanges to a pupil mobility, the past year has been a rewarding journey of cultural exchange, collaboration, and learning. Here’s a look back at the Erasmus+ highlights from this school year.
May 2024: Welcoming Our First Visitors from Vienna
We kicked off our Erasmus+ journey in May 2024, just before the end of the last school year, by welcoming three teachers—Eva-Maria, Karin, and Wilma—from the bilingual middle school In der Krim in Vienna, Austria.
During their visit, our guests explored various areas of our school and gained insights into our teaching practices. We also introduced them to some of Wexford’s cultural gems. After school, our staff joined them for a local history walk led by Paul Walsh and enjoyed an evening of traditional Irish music—a true celebration of Irish hospitality and heritage.
January 2025: Planning for Pupil Mobility
In the new year, we continued our Erasmus+ activities with a visit from two teachers, Suzana and Trixi, from In der Krim in January 2025. Their goal was to prepare for a pupil mobility exchange later in the spring and to coordinate closely with Ms. Somers’ 6th Class.
Their upcoming visit was to be the culmination of a year-long virtual exchange between pupils in both schools, who had been corresponding and working together online in anticipation of meeting in person. Excitement was building for the upcoming visit.
March 2025: Focus on Inclusion with Our Liechtenstein Partner
In March 2025, we hosted Maria, a teacher from Formatio Private School in Liechtenstein. Her visit centred around observing our inclusive teaching practices, particularly in our Rainbow Classes, and learning how our school supports all learners.
Maria engaged with staff across the school, joined classroom activities, and had thoughtful discussions on how we promote inclusion as a core value in all we do. It was a wonderful opportunity to share best practices and reflect on our school’s approach to diversity and support.
April 2025: Hosting Our Austrian Friends
The Erasmus+ programme culminated in a major highlight in April 2025, when we hosted 16 pupils and three teachers—Trixi, Susana, and Karin—from In der Krim for a week-long pupil mobility.
Our school community pulled together to give them a warm Irish welcome. Pupils from both schools took part in joint activities, shared lessons, and built strong friendships. Highlights included a day trip to Johnstown Castle and Curracloe Beach, a lively concert of traditional Irish music and dance, Austrian waltzing and a special snippet from our school musical, “Matilda Jr.”, by our talented 6th Class pupils.
We are incredibly proud of the connections we’ve made and the memories we’ve created during this past school year. Erasmus+ has brought new ideas, lasting friendships, and a strong sense of European community to Scoil Mhuire, Coolcotts.
Looking ahead, we are delighted to share that Scoil Mhuire is now an Erasmus+ accredited school. Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, we will begin our very own Erasmus+ journey, leading a project focused on improving wellbeing in our school through creativity and the arts. We are excited to explore how creativity and artistic expression can support the emotional and social development of our pupils, and we look forward to collaborating with new partners across Europe as we bring this vision to life.
