Global Programmes & Initiatives

Showcasing Davitt College’s international partnerships, European exchange frameworks, and cross-cultural learning projects that connect our students to the wider world.

Core News & Information, German Exchange, Global Programmes & Initiatives, School News

Welcoming the newly appointed Mayor of Höchstadt

/

INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS A Warm Welcome to Davitt College! Welcoming the newly appointed Mayor of Höchstadt 14 October 2026 DAVITT COLLEGE · OCTOBER 2026 01 / THE VISIT FRIENDSHIP ACROSS BORDERS A special visit from Höchstadt. We were delighted to welcome Mr Alex Schulz, newly appointed Mayor of Höchstadt, to Davitt College this morning for a brief visit. Mr Schulz was accompanied by his wife, Heike, along with freelance journalist Johanna Blum and her husband, Bernard. A WARM IRISH WELCOME Sharing a little of school life. Our guests enjoyed the opportunity to meet members of the Davitt College community during their visit. 01 Meeting Our Team Our visitors met with members of the Senior Management Team and our German teachers. 02 A Token of Welcome Mr Schulz was presented with a small gift by the Senior Management Team to mark the occasion. 03 Tea, Coffee & Scones Our guests enjoyed some refreshments in the staffroom before taking a tour of the school. OUR GERMAN CONNECTION A friendship that continues to flourish. It was a pleasure to welcome our visitors and continue to celebrate the strong connections between Davitt College and our German friends in Höchstadt, particularly through our long-standing school partnership. 🇩🇪 ♥ 🇮🇪 MOMENTS FROM THE VISIT A Warm Welcome in Pictures A selection of photographs from our visitors’ time at Davitt College. 04 PHOTOGRAPHS 01 02 03 SELECT A PHOTOGRAPH TO VIEW THE FULL GALLERY DAVITT COLLEGE · HÖCHSTADT Vielen Dank für Ihren Besuch! Thank you for visiting us. We look forward to continuing our friendship and school partnership. DAVITT COLLEGE / HÖCHSTADT VISIT 01 / 04

Core News & Information, Erasmus+, Global Programmes & Initiatives, School News

Erasmus+ Adventure in Lille & Brussels

/

Erasmus+ • France & Belgium Erasmus+ Adventure in Lille & Brussels 21–24 September 2026 Davitt College students travelled to Lille and Brussels for an exciting Erasmus+ experience combining education, cultural exchange, communication and the opportunity to build new friendships across Europe. Davitt College Erasmus+ • Lille & Brussels 2026 Learning Beyond the Classroom The four-day trip gave students the opportunity to experience life and learning in a different European setting, combining visits to important European institutions with time in a French school and opportunities to explore the culture of Lille. From Brussels to Lille, each stage of the visit offered something different – encouraging students to communicate, collaborate, experience another education system and develop a greater understanding of Europe and their place within it. 01 Day One Europe in Action The Erasmus+ experience began with a special visit to the European Parliament in Brussels, giving students the opportunity to learn more about the European Union, its institutions and the role Europe plays in everyday life. It was a fitting beginning to an Erasmus+ mobility – bringing European citizenship, cooperation and international learning beyond the classroom and into a real-world setting. 02 Day Two School Life in Lille Day two brought the group to partner school Institution Sainte-Odile in Lambersart, where Davitt College students experienced school life in France, met French students and gained an insight into a different education system. The programme provided plenty of opportunities for cultural exchange and interaction, while travelling around Lille by Metro gave the group a chance to experience the city much as its residents do. Davitt College students during their Erasmus+ mobility in Lille 03 Day Three Communication, Creativity & Collaboration Communication and creativity took centre stage as students worked alongside their French counterparts at Institution Sainte-Odile. A podcasting workshop challenged students to develop their confidence and communication skills through recording, interviewing and sharing ideas. Working together provided another opportunity to make connections with French students while using communication in a practical and creative way. The programme also included lessons in the French school, presentations and feedback, giving students a genuine experience of learning alongside their peers in Lille. Learning and collaborating with students in Lille Students developing their communication skills through podcasting EU European Parliament Brussels FR School Exchange Institution Sainte-Odile MIC Podcasting Communication & Creativity LIL Exploring Lille Culture & Everyday Life Erasmus+ 2026 Learning, friendship and new experiences. The visit gave our students the opportunity to experience another culture, discover a different school environment and build connections with young people beyond Ireland. Our sincere thanks to everyone at Institution Sainte-Odile for the warm welcome extended to the Davitt College group and for helping to make the visit such a memorable Erasmus+ experience.

German Exchange visiting Davitt College 2026
Core News & Information, Erasmus+, German Exchange, Global Programmes & Initiatives, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News

German Exchange Week Begins With Official Welcome at Davitt College

/

🇩🇪 Modern Foreign Languages • German Exchange 2026 24 Years of Friendship: Davitt College Welcomes Realschule Höchstadt for Epic German Exchange Week! 11 March 2026 • Davitt College, Castlebar Bonds across borders! Our 5th Year German classes rolled out the ultimate Céad Míle Fáilte this week, reuniting with their long-awaited exchange partners from Realschule Höchstadt in an atmosphere buzzing with excitement and energy. While Davitt College students proudly donned their school uniforms, our German visitors turned heads in style wearing their brand-new, custom-designed partnership hoodies—created specifically to mark this incredible milestone. Principal’s Address A Toast to Shared History Principal Conor O’Reilly officially welcomed Principal Markus Ott to campus, where Mr. Ott presented a commemorative hoodie symbolizing over two decades of deep educational and cultural partnership. Partnership Milestone 24 Years Strong & Thriving “Here’s to a fantastic week ahead filled with cultural immersion, new friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime! 🇩🇪🤝🇮🇪” ×

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, Erasmus+, French, Global Programmes & Initiatives, Humanities & Language, School News

Welcoming European Partners: Erasmus+ Job Shadowing with Lycée Général Saint Odile

/

🇪🇺 Erasmus+ • International Partnership & Job Shadowing Welcoming European Partners: Erasmus+ Job Shadowing with Lycée Général Saint Odile 4 February 2026 Forging Global Connections Davitt College recently extended a warm “Céad Míle Fáilte” to staff members Mrs. Kristiana Glinke and Mrs. Carolina De Bleeckere from the Lycée Général Saint Odile in Lambersart, France. The Business and Economics Department was absolutely delighted to welcome our French colleagues to our campus for a collaborative, two-day job shadowing experience, marking another fantastic milestone in our school’s international engagement. As globally focused secondary schools, both Davitt College and the Lycée Général Saint Odile are incredibly proud to hold official Erasmus+ accreditation. Building vibrant European partnerships is a key objective here at Davitt College, serving as a core pillar to ensure the long-term growth and success of our Erasmus+ programme. By sharing pedagogical practices across international borders, this innovative cross-curricular initiative has laid the groundwork for a partnership that we firmly hope will continue to develop and prosper for years to come. En Français : Bienvenue à nos Collègues Davitt College offre un « Céad Míle Fáilte » aux membres du personnel Mme Kristiana Glinke et Mme Carolina De Bleeckere du Lycée Général Saint Odile, Lambersart, France. Le département de commerce et d’économie est ravi d’accueillir nos collègues français pour un stage d’observation professionnelle de deux jours. Davitt College et le Lycée Général Saint Odile sont très fiers d’être des écoles accréditées Erasmus+. L’établissement de partenariats européens est un objectif clé ici Davitt College pour assurer le succès de notre programme Erasmus+. Nous espérons que le partenariat avec le Lycée Général Saint Odile se développera et prospérera. ×

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, Erasmus+, Global Programmes & Initiatives, Politics & Society, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Senior Cycle

Davitt College Students Embark on Erasmus Adventure in Brussels

/

🇪🇺 Erasmus+ • European Adventure Davitt College Students Embark on Erasmus Adventure in Brussels 8 October 2025 A group of 36 students and four teachers from Davitt College recently returned from a highly enriching Erasmus trip to Brussels, Belgium, where they immersed themselves in culture, education, and European institutions. 🌍 Broadening Horizons The four-day programme offered students a unique chance to broaden their horizons through both educational and cultural experiences. One of the major highlights of the trip was a visit to an international school, where students were able to observe classes and engage directly with their European peers. Our teachers also had the fantastic opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with their international colleagues, gaining fresh perspectives on global education. 🏛️ Exploring Cultural Treasures The group thoroughly explored Belgium’s cultural treasures. A guided city tour of Brussels introduced the students to the vibrant heart of Europe, taking in everything from its historic squares to its striking modern institutions. They also enjoyed a beautiful day trip to Bruges, discovering the medieval charm of the canals, cobblestone streets, and the rich heritage of the UNESCO World Heritage city. 🇪🇺 The European Parliament A central part of the Erasmus experience was a visit to the European Parliament. Students were given an in-depth tour of the Parliament buildings, learning exactly how European democracy functions in practice. The visit was made even more memorable by a special meeting with Mr. Olaf Gill, who generously shared his expertise on European institutions and communication. His insights truly inspired the group to think more deeply about the importance of international cooperation and active citizenship. This Erasmus trip proved to be an unforgettable experience for both students and teachers alike. It not only strengthened their understanding of European culture and politics but also fostered wonderful new friendships and a true sense of belonging to a wider international community. ✨ ×

Global Programmes & Initiatives, Grants & Funding

Official Funding Acknowledgment: NextGenerationEU

/

🇪🇺 Digital Strategy • European Union Funding Official Funding Acknowledgment: NextGenerationEU 3 July 2025 Davitt College wishes to acknowledge funding received as part of a Department of Education project under Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). This initiative is proudly supported by the European Union through NextGenerationEU funding under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Our school received a grant to implement digital initiatives aimed at overcoming the digital divide and supporting learners at risk of educational disadvantage. How This Investment Benefited Our Students: Enhanced Access: The funding was utilised to purchase student laptops and secure laptop charging trollies, ensuring technology is readily available across classrooms. Immersive Learning: Virtual Reality (VR) headsets were introduced, allowing students to engage in cutting-edge, interactive learning experiences. This investment is already having an immensely positive impact—empowering our students to access rich online resources, complete coursework efficiently, and build essential digital skills for the future. We remain committed to using these resources to foster equitable learning opportunities for everyone in our school community. ✨ ×

Awards, Core News & Information, CSPE, Erasmus+, Global Programmes & Initiatives, Humanities & Language, Politics & Society, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Wellbeing

Davitt College Celebrates Prestigious Erasmus+ School Accreditation and Flag-Raising Ceremony

/

🇪🇺 Global Outlook • Erasmus+ Accreditation Davitt College Celebrates Prestigious Erasmus+ School Accreditation and Flag-Raising Ceremony 4 September 2024 Davitt College, Castlebar, has officially been recognised as an Erasmus+ Accredited School, marking a major milestone in the school’s commitment to internationalised education. This prestigious status, awarded as part of the European Union Erasmus+ Programme (2021–2027), secures long-term funding for the school to participate in cross-border educational mobility and collaborative European projects. To celebrate this achievement, students and staff gathered for an official flag-raising ceremony. The Erasmus+ flag was hoisted at the front of the school building, where it now flies proudly as a symbol of the school’s global outlook and interconnected learning environment. Driving Educational Excellence Across Europe This formal accreditation opens up incredible pathways for the entire Davitt College community, including: Student Exchange Programmes: Giving students the unique opportunity to experience European cultures, practice modern languages, and collaborate on shared academic initiatives with partner schools across the EU. Professional Development: Enabling teaching staff to engage in international training and job-shadowing, bringing innovative European pedagogical methodologies straight back into Castlebar classrooms. Inclusive Initiatives: Securing dedicated resources to support diverse learners and ensure equitable access to international experiences for all students. The flying flag stands as a daily reminder of the school’s dedication to broadening horizons, fostering European citizenship, and preparing students to thrive in a globalised world. 🇪🇺🌍✨ Pictured: Mr. Conor O’Reilly (Principal), Ms. Anita Gallagher (Deputy Principal), Ms. Stephanie Kelly & Mrs. Maria Carey (Erasmus+ Coordinators), Ms. Annette Newell (Erasmus+ Committee / MFL Dept), accompanied by Ms. Stephanie Kelly’s First Year CSPE class. ×

Scroll to Top