Council Vice Chair hosts a welcome event for German School Exchange Students

Recently the Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Elaine Brough, hosted an event to welcome students from Brackwede in Germany to the District who were here as part of a school exchange visit with students from Enniskillen Royal Grammar School.

The following is the speech made by the Vice Chair at the reception:

Good morning ladies and gentlemen

As Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am delighted to welcome you all here to The Townhall, Enniskillen for this event to welcome the Students and Teachers from Brackwede in Germany.

The twinning agreement between Brackwede and Enniskillen started back in 1958 when the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were based in Germany.

The first known exchange took place in 1965, however, it was not until the early 1970s that the first official exchange programme took place, administered by the then Western Education and Library Board, now known as the Education Authority.  The exchanges today are organised by Enniskillen Royal Grammar School.

I am delighted that 59 years on, the school exchanges are still taking place.   They are an immersive and unique opportunity for students to learn beyond the classroom and make new and lasting friendships.  They are an opportunity to explore our different cultures and promote mutual understanding.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to ensuring that our young people have the best start in life.  The inspirational and learning experiences you gain at school, including through activities such as exchange visits, equip you, our young people, with knowledge and life skills which will benefit you in the years ahead.

I would like to commend the teachers from Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and Brackwede for all your work to maintain these important relationships and organise exchange visits.  They have and will continue to enrich and make a difference to the lives of so many young people.

On behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and on my own behalf, I would like to welcome you all to the Fermanagh and Omagh District.  I know you will have a busy schedule, however, I am confident that you will have an enjoyable time and make memories which will stay with you for many years to come.  I also want to take the opportunity to wish you a safe journey home when the time comes and hopefully you will make a return visit in the future.

Thank you.