Schull Community College

German Exchange

Since the middle of the eighties, Schull Community College has been involved in an exchange programme with the kopernikusschule in Freigericht, near Frankfurt in Germany. In October each year, 8-10 students from Schull Community College spend the mid-term break in Freigericht, staying with German families and attending school with their partners. They also go on excursions to places of interest in the area, like Heirderberg Castle, the local television station and always the highpoint for the Irish students, like ice-skating rink in Frankfurt. Around Easter, between 10-16 German students come to Schull with two teachers. The Germans spend 10-14 days in the Backpackers’ Hostel, attending school with their partners, and visiting their homes to experience daily life in an Irish family. During their stay in Schull, the Germans students sample the delight of sailing here at the Fastnet Marine Outdoor Education Centre, try their hand (or foot!) at Céili Dancing and participate in a bilingual quiz with their partners.

The Exchange Programme is an internal part of the life of the college. Apart from the linguistic benefits of the exchange, the programme has much of value to offer. Over the years, close personal ties have developed between the staff of both schools, and as the same families have participated again and again in the exchange, in both Freigericht and Schull, links have also been established between the two communities

Sad news!

The German Exchange Co-ordinator at our partnership school in FREIGERICHT, Ursula Henzler, died suddenly in April after a short illness. Ursula, who had been co-ordinator since 1996, was a familiar figure in Schull during the Easter leg of the exchange, and often joked that she must surely be entitled to a schull passport after so many years! She will be sadly missed by all involved in the Exchange. In her memory, the College will set up a prize to be awarded to students of German, who achieve a very high standard. The award will be presented for the first time in November 2010.