Mairead McGuinness, MEP for Westmeath and first vice-president of the European Parliament, paid an official visit to Drumraney National School, Athlone, on Monday, May 21.
Drumraney is participating in the Blue Star programme, which aims to foster, through classroom projects and activities, better knowledge and understanding amongst primary pupils about the European Union.
Among other things, it examines the foundation and development of the European Union, the cultural and linguistic diversity of Europe and the role of the EU: what it does and how its work affects the lives of European citizens.
This is the fifth year in which the school is participating in the programme, and also marked Ms McGuinness’s fifth visit to the school as part of the programme.
She congratulated the school on being awarded a special plaque recently to mark its achievements on the programme, which was presented at a special ceremony in Dublin.
“The school has embraced the programme in a most wholehearted way and this was so evident today from the level of detailed questioning from the pupils, on all manner of issues to do with the EU” she said.
“My annual visit to Drumraney is always a joy and I’ve gotten to know the children well. It’s wonderful to see them grow and develop each year. They and their parents should be very proud of their achievements.”
The MEP paid tribute to the pupils, their Green School co-ordinator and principal, Laura Silke, and everyone associated with the school.
