Gaeilge
The Fourth Annual Awards ceremony for Donegal Education and Training Board (Donegal ETB) was held in the Villa Rose Hotel, Ballybofey. The ‘Oscar’ style awards ceremony had representation from the 15 Donegal ETB schools and colleges managed by the Board as well as representation from the Youthreach Centres and the Adult Education and Training Services, There were awards in 4 different categories that included: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Healthy Living and Well Being; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; ‘Remembering 1916’
There were school choirs performing from Moville Community College, and Colaiste Ailigh, Leitir Ceanainn under the guidance of Tara Gallagher and Maria Uí Thaidhg. The repertoire from both choirs entertained the guests and added to the sense of occasion.Dr Martin Gormley MC for the event welcomed everybody to the ceremony. He congratulated all 28 projects that had been nominated across the various categories. He thanks all the participants both staff and students who had showed creativity and innovation in their work. He referred to the need to recognise other types of learning outside of the formal classroom setting.
Ms Anne McHugh, Chief Executive Donegal ETB, in congratulating all the students and staff referred to the range of activities happening on a daily basis throughout the Board. She was delighted to congratulate all recipients, ‘as Chief Executive of Donegal ETB I am proud and honoured to be associated with this occasion and I pay tribute to all those that have investigated the time, knowledge and energy in bringing the various projects to fruition’. She paid tribute to the excellent work that was happening on a regular basis right across the ETB schools and centres in the County. She welcomed and thanked all the members of the adjudication panels who had worked so diligently assessing and judging the projects.
Ms Bernie Mulhern, as Chairperson of Donegal ETB presented the certificates and awards and referred to the depth of work taking place outside of the formal curriculum. She was proud as Chairperson of the Board to see the great work being done in ETB schools throughout the county.
There were certificates presented by the Chairperson to all 28 nominees and the 4 awards were then presented to the various winners in each category.
Ms Anne McHugh congratulated all recipients of certificates and awards. She also referred to the important of sharing best practice in the scheme and communicating good ideas, ‘occasions like this help us to acknowledge, recognise and more importantly share the wonderful work that is happening throughout our scheme. In providing education it is important that we inculcate creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship in our interaction with students and learners.
Dr Martin Gormley thanked the organising committee of Frank Quinn, Fiona Temple, Ursula MacPhearson, Oliver Harte, Johnny Sweeney, Micheál Ó Giobúin and Danny McFadden. There was an acknowledgement of Eileen Dennison who helped with the administration of the awards process. Mr Myles Sweeney, Donegal Sports Partnership; Ms Ursula Donnelly, Local Entreprise Office; Clr Albert Doherty, Donegal ETB Board Member and Mr Patsy McVicar, Donegal ETB Board Member spoke on behalf of the adjudicating panels.
The award winners in each of the categories were:
Health and Well Being
1. Magh Ene College, Bundoran
2. Moville Community College
3. Errigal College
Adjudicators: Mr Myles Sweeney, Ms Lynda McGuinness and Ms Eileen Maguire
Innovation and Entrepreuneurship
1. Errigal College
2. Colaiste na Carraige
3. Youthreach Ballyshannon
Adjudicators: Ms Ursula Donnelly, Clr Michael McBride and Michael Margey
Remembering 1916
1. Moville Community College
2. Colaiste Ailigh
3. Finn Valley College
Adjudicators: Clr Albert Doherty, Mr Sean O Longain, Mr Alec Reid
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
1. Mulroy College
2. Colaiste Ailigh
3. Crana College
Adjudicators: Mr Patsy McVicar, Mr Frank Dooley and Ms Elaine McFadden