This week at Davitt College, one cannot help but notice the three flags hoisted on its flagpoles - the Irish flag, the Mayo flag and the German flag. The flags were hoisted to welcome their German exchange partners from Realschule Hochstadt and Herzogenaurach, who have just spent six days in Castlebar.
Davitt College was officially twinned with Realschule Hochstadt in 2003 and the twinning has been going from strength to strength since then. The recent visit of 28 pupils and four teachers marked the third exchange visit of Realschule Hochstadt pupils and teachers to Davitt College, Castlebar.
There was a busy programme in place for all participating pupils including school time, family time and fun time. There was a day spent in class, a visit to Scoil Raifteiri, the Peace Park, shopping and bowling. The group visited Achill Outdoor Adventure Centre with a guided tour of Achill Island given by Mr Tim Daly. Turlough House, Westport, Ballina and Irish dancing at the Cottage in Ballintubber also featured.
Davitt College and the Town Council hosted a joint welcoming ceremony at Davitt College which was an outstanding success. The group was officially welcomed to Davitt College by Principal Iosef McGowan, and to Castlebar by Mayor Kevin Guthrie.
Maria Carey, German teacher at Davitt College, thanked all the local businesses in Castlebar who helped finance the week’s activities. She thanked Elvery Sports who sponsored the t-shirts worn by all pupils at the ceremony, the Town Council, Baxter, Lidl, Credit Union Castlebar, Bank of Ireland Castlebar and Lions Club Castlebar for their generous contributions towards the financing of the programme of events for the week. Mrs Carey thanked school principal Mr Ioseph McGowan and Mr Tommy O’Malley for their commitment to the programme; and Dr Katie Sweeney, CEO, Mayo VEC.
On November 30, 27 pupils studying German will make a return trip to Germany. The group includes pupils from second year, fourth year, fifth year and sixth year.
