What is the Blue Star Programme?
The Blue Star Programme is an education initiative for primary school pupils across Ireland. The idea of the Programme is simple: to foster better understanding and knowledge of the European Union and how it affects the lives of Irish citizens among primary pupils through classroom projects and activities.
Here in St. Patrick’s School Ballinamuck N.S., students were challenged to get creative and think about Europe by carrying out projects in relation to four key elements: the history, geography, culture and creativity, and Institutions of the EU.
We have achieved our first Blue Star Flag in May 2023.
Pupils and teachers throughout the school worked very hard to achieve all four elements of our Blue Star Flag.
On May 9th 2025, we celebrated Europe Day in St. Patrick’s National School, Balliamuck as part of the Blue Star Programme.
Here in Ballinamuck N.S, all the pupils got creative and carried out projects in relation to four key elements: the history, geography, culture and creativity, and Institutions of the EU.
The students here in Ballinamuck N.S have being busy learning about Europe and especially the EU countries for our Blue Star Flag.
All classes participated & completed all four elements of the Blue Star Programme Quizzes which were great fun.
The senior classes 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th were busy learning all about the EU countries & their cities.
Geography & Historical Element: pupils learn all about Italy & the Ancient Romans. Pupils also learned about the formation of rocks & volcanoes. They learnt about the Ancient Romans & the historical city of Pompei which was destroyed following the eruption of the active volcano Mount Vesuvius. Pupils learned how archaeologists uncovered this lost city.
Geography Element: Pupils learned all about Europe and especially EU countries. Pupils even studied and researched a country from the EU and completed their own project either via PowerPoint/ Microsoft Word or hard back both in school & at home. Students got to present their projects to our class and put them on display in our hall to mark Europe Day & our VIP guests TD Micheal Carraigy & Senator Pauric Brady.
Political Elements: Pupils from 3rd to 6th learned about the EU & the work of our MEPs. Students discussed different types of elections (local/general/EU). Investigated what happens around election times (poster/debates/canvassing). Students from created our their own political parties in groups with candidates, party leaders and campaign committees. In small groups the pupils create their very own Campaign Poster using Canva that will give some of our TDs, Senators and MEPs a run for their money.
Cultural Element: Third & Fourth Class pupils even painted & decorated their own carnival masks to celebrate Mardi Gras which is an old Italian custom to mark the end of Lent.The students also created, moulded & decorated their own clay pots. Finally pupils in 3rd & 4th Class had a Pizza Party after making their own pizzas.
Students in Fifth & Sixth Class learnt about the famous prehistoric cave art in Lascaux in France. Students looked at examples of cave art around Europe & created their own versions of cave art using crumpled of paper and oil pastels. Furthermore Fifth & Sixth Class students studied the life and works of Claude Monet. Using his work on ‘Water Lilies’ as an inspiration, the students created their own pieces of work using oil pastels, watered down paint and salt.
This Programme has helped foster a strong sense of awareness of the EU among all our pupils and staff. We have successfully completed our third Blue Star Flag and will receive our certificate in June 2025.
Well done to all the children and staff involved!
