St. Mary’s Convent Primary School, Nenagh win the 2018 Our World Irish Aid Award
News
11 July 2018
St. Mary's Convent Primary School, Nenagh receiving their award. www.forphoto.ie
St Mary’s Convent Primary School, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary have been named the winners of the 13th Annual Our World Irish Aid Awards, for their project “Children’s Voices on Our Climate Choices”. The fifth class students had spent many weeks studying all 17 Global Goals and exploring ways in which they can live more environmentally friendly lives, as well as what they can do here in Ireland to slow down climate change and minimise its effect on the lives of children living in the developing world. The students and their teacher, Ann-Marie O’Sullivan, cheered with delight when they received their award at the national final in Dublin Castle, on June 20th.
Pupils from Scoil Choilm
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Fourth class pupils and their teacher, Orlaith Kenny, from Scoil Choilm Community National School, Clonsilla, Co. Dublin were named the Best Newcomer School. Their project “How can the Global Goals improve the lives of the children in developing countries?” looked at the many ways in which they could use the Global Goals to help others, including making SDG lanyards, a scrapbook, a video presentation, brochures, a poem, a school hallway display, a survey and additional work on their school blog.
Minister Ciarán Cannon presenting OWIAA Teacher of the Year Award to Cecelia Gavigan
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Cecelia Gavigan from Balbriggan Educate Together National School, was named Teacher of the Year, much to the delight of her pupils and colleagues. The school’s project, “Raising Awareness and Taking Action on the Global Goals”, was a wide-ranging entry that focussed on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Two secondary school students, Daniel Hatter and Tyron Kitzinger, from Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock, Co. Dublin also presented their project “Plastic Outta the Park”, which recently won the Eco-Unesco Young Environmentalist 2018 Award, as well as the Senior Climate Change Award. The students have become peer educators on sustainability, and often deliver workshops to their fellow students around the country.
Students from Mid-West School for the Deaf
One of the highlights of the final was the inspiring performance by the Mid-West School for the Deaf, Rosbrien, Limerick City. Their project “Transform our World with Sign Language” showed how sign language gives a voice to the deaf community across the world.
Congratulating the students, Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development Ciarán Cannon said:
“By taking part in the Our World Awards 2018, you have become advocates for the Sustainable Development Goals. I commend you for being active global citizens and for being an inspiration to others in your school, in your home and in your communities.”
While praising the students for their hard work, Minister Cannon also acknowledged their teachers and families for providing encouragement and guidance:
“Without your support, the Our World Irish Aid Awards would not be possible. It is only through your direction and leadership that our young people can flourish.”
Three hundred and fifty students and their teachers from across the country travelled to Dublin for the final. The twelve schools who attended on the day were selected from the four regional events held in Sligo, Limerick, Cork and Dublin in May. This year’s theme, “Transforming Our World”, encouraged pupils to explore the power of education to create a better future for all. For example, students learned about school life in Mozambique and the “School in a Box” project, supported by Irish Aid, which ensures that children in Mozambique benefit from a primary school education.
This is the13th yearof theOur World Irish Aid Awards with over 1,300 primary schools throughout Ireland registering to take part. The awards raise awareness among Irish children of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and of the work of Irish Aid and their partners around the world. For further information see www.ourworldirishaidawards.ie.