'Good Morning Fethard'project wins national award
Bright sparks from Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School triumph in national awards
Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School community was delighted to celebrate a remarkable achievement at the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards in Croke Park, where Good Morning Fethard was announced as the winner of the Mixed/Large Group Social Category.
The Future Sparks initiative recognises student-led projects that make a positive impact within their communities, and ‘Good Morning Fethard’ proved to be an outstanding example of this in action.
The programme was the result of a collaborative effort involving Transition Year students and staff from a number of departments. Special recognition is due to the Media Studies team, Mr Ian O’Connor, Mr Noel Maher and Mr Justin McGree, together with Technical Engineer Robert Healy, whose expertise, guidance and commitment were instrumental in bringing the project from concept to reality.
Students were involved in every aspect of production, including scripting, presenting, filming, interviewing and editing. Through the project, they developed practical media skills while gaining a greater appreciation of the importance of community engagement and active citizenship.
The programme showcased a range of local organisations and services, and the award represented a proud moment not only for the school but also for the wider Fethard community, whose support and participation were central to the project’s success.
Helen Coffey, Programme Coordinator, submitted the successful application to the AIB Future Sparks Awards, helping secure national recognition for the project and the work of the students involved.
Students and representatives from the various community groups involved in the project gathered in Fethard Town Park to celebrate the achievement. The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the journey of the project from its earliest planning stages through to national recognition in Croke Park and highlighted the strong partnership between the school and the wider community.
The celebration also marked the inaugural presentation of the Patrician Presentation Secondary School’s ‘Community Award’, a new initiative designed to recognise individuals who make an outstanding contribution to school and community life. The award was the brainchild of Mr Ian O’Connor, whose vision was to acknowledge the many people who quietly and consistently make a positive difference in our community.
Mr Vincent Cummins was the first recipient of the award. Nominated and selected by students, Vincent was recognised for his generosity, community spirit and commitment to supporting local initiatives.