Over the past number of weeks, in what has become an annual exodus of students from our schools, almost all of the post-primary schools in the Fermanagh area have sent groups of children to the Dolomites in Italy to ski.

For some, their only experience of skiing in their life has come from taking part in the trip organised by the Gruppone Committee.

Local schools, along with schools from across the North-West, as well as drawn from Cavan, Belfast and Armagh, come together in arguably the largest collaboration between schools in Northern Ireland and take part in the challenging activity of skiing.

It is something that happens seamlessly without the wider community understanding the significance of the impact Gruppone has in offering this experience to a wide range of students from a diversity of backgrounds.

The trip has taken away thousands of children from Fermanagh over the years, explained Sean Carlin, who is a member of the Gruppone Committee and a teacher in St. Michael’s College.

“Gruppone started life as the brainchild of a group of passionate cross-community teachers and school leaders more than 40 years ago who valued the importance of providing kids with opportunities outside of the classroom that would give them memories to cherish with their friends forever.

“The Committee endeavoured to seek the best-value ski packages so that as many students as possible would have a chance to experience this unique opportunity.

"Their vision has become a spectacular success in those 40 years, making this collaboration one that has helped to bring students and staff from all parts of the country, breaking down barriers of culture, race, religion, identity and gender to promote mutual respect,” said Mr. Carlin.

The trip is designed to be as much about the cultural exchanges that allow students to mix and develop the social skills to be able to engage and better understand others, and to be curious about their culture and region.

The current Gruppone Committee endeavours to provide opportunities for all and has developed bursaries in conjunction with TopFlight in memory of one of the founding members, Ronnie McLernon.

Mr. Carlin added: “This ski season, the Gruppone schools will have enabled more than 800 students to savour this unique experience.

"Locally, Erne Integrated, Devenish College, St. Joseph’s, St. Michael’s, St. Fanchea’s and St. Aidan’s are all prominent and longstanding members of Gruppone.

“The opportunities given to students, alongside the commitment shown by their leadership teams and staff leaders, is immense.

"The work by each school's leaders in this voluntary capacity is inspiring.

“Aside from the actual thrilling experience of skiing, it gives them a chance to better understand people from different communities.

“In my 24 years of going on ski trips, every school in Fermanagh, in my experience, bar one, has travelled with Gruppone.”

When asked why the trip has such an enduring legacy, Mr. Carlin said: “I think it has an enduring legacy because it's one of the biggest collaborations among schools anywhere in Northern Ireland, as there are so many schools coming together.

"It's truly inclusive. It's probably a reflection of our society today."