Longford National School enjoys the Blue Star Programme

The Blue Star Programme is an initiative to teach children about the EU, covering four themes. Geographical, historical, cultural and institutional matters are explored to teach the children about the 27 member states.

Each child did a project on the countries, flags, capital, food, founding, features as part of its celebration.

Having taken place on Friday, May 23, the event turned out to be a massive success for the school, as well as thoroughly enjoyed by the pupils, who had an opportunity to have fun with their education by creating a project.

The historical theme explored any background of the EU, depending on the children’s age.

This year, they studied the Roman Empire.

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Then there was the cultural aspect, where the children found one person from an EU country and talked about them, such as a singer or sports person.

The children immersed themselves with the institutional, covering governments of the EU; EU commission; the president; and who makes the laws.

Teacher Roger Ward said, “It’s a really great programme for the children to immerse themselves in Europe and aspects of it.

We’re allowed to invite a government official (VIP Blue Star Day).

“Usually, it’s an elected member and for the past two years it has been local TD Peter Burke. Minister Burke came and listened to the presentations of the four classes, and gave a speech in relation to the Blue Star Programme.

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“A fantastic day in the marquee. We all had loads of fun. It’s a great way for children to learn about the EU.”

Two pupils from fourth class, who participated in the programme, made some comments about what European countries they studied.

Colm said, “It was very historical. It was exciting and we learnt about lots of famous people. I looked at the capital of Estonia, a famous person (Paul Aron, an Estonian motor sports driver).” He learned about Estonia’s food and costumes, as well as part of his research.

Ava added, “I did my project on Spain, the capital city is Madrid. Their prime minister is Pedro Sanchez. We did the Roman Empire and everyone else did a project on a country of their choice in the EU.”

In a few weeks time, the school will be having our own special Europe Day. Each child will make a little cuisine of the country that they researched.

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For example, Ava will do one from Spain and Colm will do one from Estonia.

During the presentation ceremony and celebration of completion of the Blue Star Programme, Minister Burke discussed how the 27 countries that make up the EU can come together and work together. He also expressed delight at being able to visit St Matthew's National School for the second year in a row.

He commented on how well Ballymahon had come on over the years with Center Parcs Longford Forest putting the area firmly on the tourism map.

There were also representatives from both of the secondary schools at the ceremony.

To produce the projects, the children had the option between traditional medium and technological. They used a programme called Book Creator, which can make story books. Each child picked a country and did their programme on it. Some projects were done on paper.

Between the two fourth classes, they picked one of the 27 countries. Altogether, between the two countries, there were 48 children.

Also part of the Blue Star Programme were quizzes to further educate the children on the EU and bring interactivity into the project.

Adding about the project Mr Ward said: “In terms of work for it, it began in October. It went on for whole academic year.”

For Ballymahon, the Blue Star Programme proved to be a success for the children to learn about the different countries in the European Union, while highlighting the infrastructure improvements in the area.