The Fred O'Connell NPC Innovation Award 2023 took place at the NPC AGM on Saturday the 30th of September 2023.
We had joint winners in 2023. River Valley Community National School, Swords, Co Dublin with their project “Positively impacting mental health and well-being” and Scoil Choilm Community National School, Porterstown, Dublin 15 with “Bridging the communication gap between parents and school whilst promoting parents´ involvement in school with more engaging, approachable and dynamic initiatives.”
River Valley CNS:
Working with the school and families to support physical, spiritual, creative, physiological, social and cognitive needs.
Providing a wide range of activities and resources to help our students and their families and being true ‘Partners in Learning’.
Some activities included;
- Halloween Party
- Art and Photo competition
- Tennis coaching programme
- Green flag programme
- Creating a phrasebook of all 12 languages spoken by families in the school
- Bio-diversity school workshops to learn about local parks and wildlife
The aim in River Valley CNS Parents' Association is to truly be ‘Partners in Learning’ and to provide opportunities to build a strong community in which all can thrive.
Scoil Choilm CNS:
Scoil Choilm Parents' Association has a vision of a community working together to empower and support our younger generations, prioritising parental involvement in the school.
- Parents' Association designed as a teamwork dynamic, rather than a hierarchal structure.
- Noticeboard in reception with information changed monthly on local activities, upcoming holidays and customs/traditions, and family friendly places to visit
- Newsletter sent out each term of news and activities in the school
- Cultural coffee mornings, Family Karate Classes and a free little library in the school reception.
- A PA member also attends student council meetings to hear ideas from the students.
St Brigid’s Girls National School, Killester - ”To create ample opportunities for parents/guardians and extended family members to contribute towards and participate in educational experiences and other activities for the benefit of all involved. “The Win/Win Initiative””
One of the core values of the school is that everyone feels included and involved. The Win/Win initiative by the Parents’ Association allowed volunteers from the wide range of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds in the school.
A number of activities were organized allowing parents to volunteer when they can, and taking their unique skills into consideration, in collaboration with the school including
- an outdoor wooden classroom,
- renovation of the library,
- a new jungle gym,
- “Tea and Tissue” mornings for parents of new Junior Infants,
- uniform sales from donations of uniforms that no longer fit or were not needed any more.
In 3rd place we had 3 joint winners:
Scoil Iósef, Castlemartyr, Co Cork - “Safer route to school project”
The goal of the project was to provide a safe and stimulating walk to school. The school is located on the main Cork to Waterford road with large volumes of traffic passing by at speed.
The short-term goals included: Re-instatement of the traffic warden, reduction of the speed limit outside the school, and to create a clear and safe route for children to follow.
Medium term goals include traffic calming measures outside and approaching the school, with the long-term goal of supporting the road
to bypass the village.
Many of these goals achieved by working together with local
councillors and TDs.
Harold Boys National School, Dalkey - ”Transformation of an underused storage room into a versatile Sensory/Tranquility Room”
The former storage room has become a hub of transformation, catering to diverse needs. It serves as:
Support for Difficult Conversations, Critical Incidence Response, Anti-Bullying Safe Haven, Facilitating Difficult Conversations, Play Therapy Facility:
This was achieved through fundraising campaign, local community contributions, and corporate support.
Annacurra National School, Annacurra, Co Wicklow - “To improve communication methods to showcase all fundraising initiatives and upcoming events with all families to help strengthen parent involvement, participation and engagement”
The Parents’ Association approached the communication project in 3 ways.
- WhatsApp Group guidelines – Ensure all class groups exist and are fully inclusive with clear guidelines as to what is ok and not ok to share.
- Closed Private Facebook Group Notice Board – Is only used as information noticeboard with committee members having ability to create a post. Clear guidelines on what can and cannot be posted
- Each class nominated a representative to receive information from the committee and distribute it to their class group. They had clear guidelines of what their role was and was not.
Ard Rí Community National School, Co Meath - “Sustaining our future, fostering communities.”
Caherleaheen National School, Co Kerry - “School Talent Show and Family Fun Day”
Carrigabruise National School, Co Cavan - “Fostering Community Renewal Beyond Covid,”
Coona National School, Co Cork - “Seasonal treasure trails around the village”
Fermoy Educate Together National School, Co Cork - “Pop-up Free-Cycle Boutique June 2023” & “Family Learning in collaboration with Cork Education and Training Board”
Green Lanes Schools, Leixlip, Co Kildare - “The expansion and rejuvination of the PTA”
Loreto Primary, Dalkey, Co Dublin - “Walking Bus”, “Sponsored Spooky Walk”, & “Elf Workshops”
Scoil San Treasa, Co Kildare - “Transforming an unused space in the school into a sensory space”
St. Declan’s National School, Ashbourne, Co Meath - “Communion and Confirmation exchange shop”
