Tuesday February 11th drew hundreds of students and teachers to TU Dublin for a highly anticipated award ceremony in the state-of-the-art concert hall kindly offered to us by TU Dublin for the event.
Champion Schools, after they are monitored and officially recognised as nationally awarded Schools of Sanctuary, have their achievements sealed and celebrated in award ceremonies which take place in a variety of locations, often hosted by Universities of Sanctuary. They travel in groups from near and sometimes far, and spend time and energy in planning a presentation to demonstrate to the world what being a School of Sanctuary has come to mean for them. The two primary schools and eight post primaries did not disappoint, bringing a delightful mix of song, dance, poetry, testimony, flag waving and moving stories about young people whose lives have been enhanced by participating in the programme.
The excitement was palpable as the young people arrived in a beautiful venue that was new for most of them, checked their final preparations for the big day, and took their seats in the 300 seater auditorium. The programme was skilfully MC’d by Tom Cousins, Principal of one of the first Schools of Sanctuary, Kilrane National School, and Raneem Abubaker, whose journey as a Sanctuary Ambassador began when she was at school and has continued as she completes her studies as a Sanctuary scholar at Maynooth University. Each of the ten schools put on a unique programme lasting around ten minutes, with the variety, creativity and clear passion for sanctuary providing inspiration to all the guests and schools After their performance, they were awarded with a School of Sanctuary Plaque and certificate to the cheers of everyone in the auditorium.
We were graced with several very special guests, including the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Emma Blain, who spoke about the crucial role of Schools of Sanctuary as beacons of excellence for a harmonious and integrated Ireland. The finale, and also the highlight for many, was a speech from celebrity guest Aishah Akorede,The finale, and also the highlight for many, was a speech from special guest Aishah Akorede- Miss Universe, law graduate, women’s empowerment & health advocate and who has recently appeared on Dancing with the Stars. Aishah is a graduate of one of the awarded schools, Coláiste Chiaráin, Leixlip, and her words and deep level engagement with the event gave motivation and inspiration to the students present, as she encouraged them in the important work of standing up for sanctuary, unity, equality and peace.  Â
Everyone was buzzing as the formal ceremony ended, everyone taking selfies with Aishah and students singing their way to the lunch kindly provided by TU Dublin, our hosts. These ten schools are forging the way for a new and hopeful tomorrow in Ireland and gave everyone a much-needed sense of optimism and fresh vision for the future.
There are now around 40 Champion Schools of sanctuary in Ireland, with several more ready for monitoring soon. The next award ceremony will be in Galway on May 16th. Watch this space! Â
 CHAMPION SCHOOLS AWARDED ON 11TH FEBRUARY
- Donabate Community College, Dublin
- Presentation Primary School, Waterford
- Selskar College, Wexford
- CBS Primary School, Tralee
- Coláiste Chiaráin, Leixlip
- Coláiste Dhún Masc/ Dunamase College, Portlaoise
- Presentation Secondary School, Waterford Â
- Enniscorthy Community College, Wexford
- St Oliver’s Community College, Drogheda
- Rath Dara Community College, Dublin
