The National Awards Ceremony celebrating the achievements of ten Champion Schools of Sanctuary took place in Technological University Dublin on Tuesday 11th of February. Students from the School of Sanctuary Committee travelled up with Principal Iain Wickham and teacher Siun Cashman. On the bus from Wexford were students and staff from Selskar College who were also receiving their award on the day.
The welcome address was given by School of Sanctuary Director, Sara Hakim. Mc’s for the occasion were both from Wexford Raneem Abubaker former student of Creagh College in Gorey and Tom Cousins Principal of Kilrane Primary school. Other special guests included the Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blain and CEO of the Irish Refugee Council Nick Henderson.
Each school gave a brief presentation highlighting the journey that they have been one for the past couple of years. Students from ECC read out different parts of Imelda May’s work You Don’t get to be a Racist and Irish in a wide variety of languages from students from different countries. There was also a powerpoint presentation given highlighting all the different activities that have taken place in the school ensuring that inclusiveness and diversity are very much to the fore.
The ceremony finished with guest speaker Aishah Akorede saying a few words about her experiences to date and she spoke of her time in Colaiste Chiaran, Leixlip and the experience she is currently having in Dancing with the Stars. Unfortunately, not all members of the student committee could attend as several students were in the middle of their mock exams. The students can be very proud of their work to date in ensuring that ECC is a welcoming place for everyone no matter where they come from.
The following are the list of students that represented the school on the day:
Tony O'Leary
Dominik Bardos
Amy Wang
Alexis Connolly
Claire Murefu
Bogdan Cucu
Kaua Da Cunha
Anasthsiia Kozyrska
Diana Ustymenko
A special thanks to teachers Siun Cashman and Alice James who assisted the students in their preparation work for the day and also right throughout the School of Sanctuary journey.