This article is from page 35 of the 2007-04-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 35 JPG
A GROUP of 16 Australian high school students will say “G’Day”’ to Spanish Point today (Tuesday) at the end of their visit to St Joseph’s Sec- ondary School to celebrate 21 years of the county’s twinning with Clare Valley down under.
School Principal, Mary Crawford said that the 11 day visit was a mas- sive success after seven years of let- ters and emails with Clare Valley High School.
‘The sixteen students and five staff got on wonderfully on their stay in Ireland. The weather was so good and they had a fabulous time meet- ing everyone and travelling around.”
The students stayed with local host families and attended some classes at the school as well as visiting re- gional attractions.
“They did a lot of activities. We ran some classes on Irish history and culture. They did t-shirt print- ing and celtic design with our own art students. We held a set dancing
workshop too. Clare County Coun- cil organised a banquet in Bunratty Folk Park and the Ennis Lions’ Club gave them a tour of Ennis. Minister Tony Killeen welcomed them offi- cially. Everyone was very involved,” said Ms Crawford.
St Joseph’s also helped some of the Australian students to trace their Irish roots and one student found Clare relatives back to the early nineteenth century.
The group, which included five high school staff, travelled to Gal-
way, Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey, the Burren, Ailwee Caves and the Cliffs of Moher.
Most of the students were aged from 14 to 16 years old and Ms Crawford said that some of St Joseph’s second and third year students hope to visit Clare Valley in the next two years.
“They think it’s great. We hope to send some of our students in the fu- ture if they want to go.
‘The Australians are already plan- ning to come back in two years time,” she added.