Mobility 3: Portugal

On October 8, 2024, Groupe Scolaire Fafe had the pleasure of welcoming the French and Italian delegations toa warm reception attended by around 120 students and teachers. This event, which promoted interculturality and the spirit of camaraderie between the different groups, was a moment of sharing and celebration. The reception began with musical entertainment, creating a welcoming and enthusiastic atmosphere. The music played an important role in forging links between the different cultures, making the experience even more special for all present.After the musical interventions, the Honourable Headmistress of the Fafe School Group expressed her joy and enthusiasm at the prospect of receiving the delegations. She stressed the importance of events like this in building a richer, more diverse education, highlighting how cultural exchanges contribute to the personal and academic development of all involved. The director also thanked the students and teachers for their active participation in this unique experience, and emphasized the role of education in promoting friendship and understanding between different cultures.After the speech, a small cocktail party followed, during which guests had the opportunity to interact, exchange experiences and strengthen the relationships established throughout the event, as education and culture can bring different nations closer together and create unforgettable memories for all those who took part.

The activity previously announced in the group's various schools consisted of making two recipes (Energy Balls and BananaPancakes) from the Eco Cooks project at Escola Secundária de Fafe. Prior to this, a session was organized with secondary school students to learn about the ingredients and preparation of the two recipes. Two teachers and 10 students took part in this session. All the students involved in this third mobility session performed brilliantly, demonstrating great enthusiasm and participation.

The Municipal Chamber of Fafe welcomed around 120 young people, of Portuguese, Italian and French nationality, who are part of the "Our Ideal European School" project, part of the Erasmus+ KA220 Program, in collaboration with the Fafe School Group, which is taking part in this project, which involves six schools from three different countries and has been running since last year, ending in April 2025. In this third mobility, in Portugal, the theme is "Connecting to the environment" and Fafe will be visited by French and Italian delegations between October 7 and 11. In her speech, Education Councillor Paula Nogueira welcomed the students, praising the values of the European Union, underlining "the importance of this type of project, to help shape more responsible European citizens". The President of Fafe City Council, Antero Barbosa, thanked the commitment of the students, teachers and schools involved in the project, and spoke of "the role of immigration in Fafe, past, present and future". Antero Barbosa concluded his speech by praising the quality of life and potential of the municipality of Fafe. At the end of the reception, the students received an "Erasmus kit" containing all useful information about the municipality of Fafe.

As part of the third mobility program in Portugal, on the theme of the environment, a yoga session was organized at the Cortegaça Outdoor Activity Support Center, with the aim of offering a unique and enriching experience to the students and teachers involved, despite the poor weather conditions. Although the bad weather was a challenge, the organization decided not to interrupt the activity, recognizing its importance for the physical and mental well-being of the participants, as well as for strengthening the link between nature and the practice of healthy habits.

As part of the third mobility trip to Portugal, students and teachers had the opportunity to visit Quinta do Confurco and Casa do Penedo, two places of great natural and cultural beauty which, despite the bad weather, offered a memorable experience and a true encounter with nature. The visit to Quinta do Confurco was particularly enriching, as the students had the opportunity to be in direct contact with the farm animals, a unique experience that enabled them to discover rural life in an authentic way. The farm's welcoming and authentic atmosphere allowed participants to feel the tranquility of the countryside, even under gray skies, and to understand the importance of respecting nature and traditions.

As part of the Erasmus + KA220 project "Our Ideal School", some of our students and their pen pals had the opportunity to get to know and explore the city that saw the birth of Portugal: the famous Guimarães. As well as visiting the castle and its walls, the pupils were able to enter the various rooms of the Paço dos Duques and learn about the reality experienced by nobles in Portugal a few centuries ago. Although the atmosphere was relaxed, it was a moment of cultural enrichment.

In a more dynamic activity, the various Portuguese, French and Italian nationalities joined forces and ventured into the streets of the city with the mission of completing a Peddy Paper. A spirit of mutual aid was created among the participants, and they worked hard! Naturally, it's not easy to find your way around an unfamiliar place. On this emotional afternoon, it's worth underlining everyone's commitment to making this event a memorable experience, especially for our foreign visitors.

As part of the Erasmus + KA220 project "Our Ideal School", some of our students and their pen pals had the opportunity to get to know and explore the city where Portugal was born: the famous Guimarães. As well as visiting the castle and its walls, the students were able to enter the various rooms of the Paço dos Duques and learn more about the reality experienced by nobles in Portugal a few centuries ago. Although the atmosphere was relaxed, it was a moment of cultural enrichment.

In a more dynamic activity, the various Portuguese, French and Italian nationalities joined forces and ventured into the streets of the city with the mission of completing a Peddy Paper. A spirit of mutual aid was created among the participants, and they worked hard! Naturally, it's not easy to find your way around an unfamiliar place. On this emotional afternoon, it's worth underlining everyone's commitment to making this event a memorable experience, especially for our foreign visitors.

Gonçalo, 9.ºC

On October 10 (Thursday), the closing dinner for the Erasmus+ project took place in Portugal. It took place at Escola Secundária de Fafe from 8pm to 11pm, in the presence of all the teachers and students who had taken part in the mobility program.In my opinion, this dinner was a great way to say goodbye to those who had brought us so much joy during the days they were here. There was music, food and, above all, a lot of fun. In conclusion, I think we all enjoyed the reunion.

Leonor, 9°C

During the 3rd mobility of the Erasmus project - Our Ideal European School - the elementary school teachers involved in the above-mentioned project took advantage of the opportunity to be together not only to visit two of our schools in the same educational cycle, but also to work on the twinning project associated with our project. Thus, on October 8, they visited the Escola Básica de Arões São Romão, home to classASR4b, a class involved in the twinning project. A working meeting was also held at this school to define the activities to be carried out until the end of the project, and to reflect on the education systems of the three partner countries. On October 10, the visit took place at Escola Básica de Fareja, where Italian and French teachers attended a class in a mixed-gender classroom - a little-known reality for the visitors, which enabled them to learn a little more about our education system and curriculum.