Tipperary primary school recognised at Re-turn Awards at Croke Park

Students and teachers from Scoil Angela, Ursuline Primary School, Tipperary, winners of €1,000 for their Re-turn Local Legends Award (Large School)-winning initiative. Picture Conor McCabe Photography | Conor McCabe Photography

placeholder image — Students and teachers from Scoil Angela, Ursuline Primary School, Tipperary, winners of €1,000 for their Re-turn Local Legends Award (Large School)-winning initiative. Picture Conor McCabe Photography | Conor McCabe Photography

Tipperary primary school Scoil Angela, Ursuline Primary School recognised at national Re-turn Awards

A Tipperary primary school was among the winners recognised at the first ever Re-turn Awards, which took place on Wednesday, June 3 at a special ceremony at Croke Park.

Hosted by Today FM presenter Ian Dempsey, the Awards recognised schools that have gone above and beyond to “Re-turn it Right”, using recycling projects to support sustainability, fundraising and positive change within their communities.

Tipperary primary school, Scoil Angela, Ursuline Primary School, received €1,000 for its efforts at the awards.

The school was honoured with the Re-turn Local Legends Award (Large School) for its community-supported campaign to raise funds for its Astro project. Led by the Parents Association, the initiative brought together pupils, families, staff, parent volunteers, and Transition Year students from Ursuline Secondary School.

With Tesco located directly across from the school, returning bottles and cans became practical, visible and easy to take part in, demonstrating the positive impact the Deposit Return Scheme can have on schools and communities across Tipperary.

More than 300 schools from across Ireland entered the awards, highlighting the enormous enthusiasm among primary schools for sustainability, recycling and community action.

On the day, 16 winning schools were recognised across a range of award categories celebrating innovation, participation, sustainability and community involvement.

The overall winner of the Re-turn Awards was Pelletstown Educate Together National School, Dublin, which received the top prize of €5,000 for its imaginative ‘Monster Bin’ initiative.

Special guests at the awards included members of the Re-turn Awards judging panel including former Irish rugby international Donncha O’Callaghan, Dermot Mulligan, Chief Marketing Officer at Re-turn, and educational consultant and primary school teacher Fiona Maguire.

Commenting at the awards ceremony, Donncha O’Callaghan, said: “It has been fantastic to see how schools right across Ireland have embraced the Deposit Return Scheme in such a creative and positive way. Both students and teachers have shown incredible passion, community spirit and leadership, not just helping the environment, but also raising funds for projects and initiatives that make a real difference in their school and communities.

“What really stood out for me was the imagination behind so many of the entries. From fundraising drives to awareness campaigns, schools found brilliant ways to get everyone involved and create lasting change. Every school recognised today should be hugely proud of what they’ve achieved, including Scoil Angela, Ursuline Primary School from Tipperary that has been recognised for its creativity, commitment and community spirit.”

Speaking about the success of the Re-turn Awards, Ciarán Foley, CEO of Re-turn, commented: “The response to the first ever Re-turn Awards has exceeded all expectations, with schools from every corner of the country showing how small everyday actions can create meaningful change.

“Schools have shown how the Scheme can support sustainability education, while also helping to raise funds for important projects and initiatives. The creativity, teamwork and enthusiasm shown by students, teachers and wider school communities has been incredibly inspiring.

“While all of the finalists demonstrated originality and commitment, Pelletstown Educate Together National School stood out for the impact, inclusivity and long-term benefits of their initiative. We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of all schools recognised today.”

Since the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme in 2024, schools have played a key role in helping communities recycle the right way with many schools using the Scheme to help raise funds for activities within their school as well as learn more about protecting the environment.

The awards were open to primary schools across the Republic of Ireland, with judging taking school size and context into account to ensure schools of all sizes had an equal opportunity to participate.

Judges looked for entries demonstrating creativity, teamwork, fundraising success, sustainability awareness and strong community involvement.

Full list of Re-turn Award Winners: