Delegates from Varzdin (Croatia), Jordanstown (Northern Ireland), Heide (Germany), Vienna (Austria) and Ptui (Slovenia) gathered at St. Joseph’s Special School on May 22, 2023 at the start of our Galway mobility.
The theme of this mobility was an
introduction to how PECS, TEACCH and Social Integration occurs in our
school. The week began with a workshop
given by Mr. Patrick McGinley, psychologist, highlighting the importance of
visual cues and aids for people with developmental difficulties. Following the workshop, the following events
occurred to illustrate and reinforce the concepts of PECS, TEACCH and Social
Integration.
·
A treasure hunt around our school
to find examples of PECS and TEACCH in each of our classrooms and general areas
within the school
·
Attendance at a performance by
pupils from schools across the city of Galway which also included pupils from
St. Joseph’s Special School.
·
Classroom observations to
observe PECS and TEACCH used by pupils and classroom staff.
·
Attendance at workshops within
the school in cookery, woodwork and music – where lessons were given using the
principals of PECS and TEACCH.
·
A visit to an adult service to
observe how PECS and TEACCH principals are carried with our pupils to their
adult services when they graduate.
·
Visits to different special
classes within a variety of main stream schools within the city – Scoil
Chatriona – senior and junior schools, Colaiste Iognaid, Claddagh School and
Educate Together School. Delegates had
the opportunity to observe further examples of PECS and TEACCH being
implemented in these schools.
·
On our last day, Friday, 26th,
May 2023, the mobility ended with a demonstration and lessons in Irish Dancing
in the school hall. Guest dancers
performed a number of set dances to music performed by school staff and
parents. Following the demonstration,
pupils and delegates had the opportunity to practice dancing themselves. This was to illustrate the opportunities of
Social Integration offered to our pupils, on a regular basis, within the
school.
During the mobility, the delegates were
offered a number of cultural experiences relating to the west of Ireland. These opportunities included:
·
A guided tour to
Connemara. The tour included - Cong, Co.
Mayo, Killary Harbour, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara National Park and Clifden.
·
A guided walking tour of Galway
City
·
“Trad on the Prom” – an evening
of Irish music, song and dance
·
An evening of folk music
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