The Fred O'Connell NPC Innovation Award 2022 took place at the NPC AGM on Saturday the 24th of September 2022.
The Winners of the Award 2022 were the Parents’ Associations of both Beaumont Boys and Girls National Schools, Cork City with their winning project ‘Establishing a Travel Safe Committee, with the purpose of providing Safer, Healthier, and Greener routes to the school’. This project impressed the judges in that it was different to similar ones in that it very much involved parents and children, together with local councillors. Projects undertaken by the Parents’ Association included:
- Implementing a car free zone outside the school entrance, with Parent Volunteers at the entrance to the school, new double yellow lines, refreshed road markings, and signage designed with the support of the school
- A travel map showing different routes with access points other than the main gate was distributed
- Walking buses, and cycling buses were introduced along with funding being granted to increase bicycle shelter space
- Collaboration with Children, Parents, School Staff, City Council Traffic Wardens, Cork Cycling Campaign, and Local Councillors
- Ongoing campaign to present report to Cork City Council and An Taisce to include both schools in the ‘Safe Routes to School’ programme.
The Parents' Association of St. John the Baptist Boys National School, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, with their project ‘Ensuring that school life continued to be vibrant and enjoyable for all the school community’, including:
- Using videos and other media to communicate with parents at the AGM and Parents’ Association meetings
- Decorations in the school grounds for Halloween and Christmas
- Engineers’ Week activities organised by the Parents’ Association
- Welcome packs for families from Ukraine
The Parents' Association of Scoil Mhuire, Moynalvey, Co. Meath with their project ‘A combination of initiatives to improve health and wellbeing, enhancing the school environment for children, teachers, and parents’, including:
- The Parents’ Association sponsoring and organising a 6-week mindfulness and Yoga programme for all classes in 2022
- Development of an outdoor classroom and wildflower garden
- Installing a Parents’ Association “suggestion box” to allow all parents to reach out to the PA.
- A Uniform Recycling Initiative
- Initiation of an Occupation Therapy trial.
These were the Parents’ Associations of:
- Ballycar National School, Co Clare - 'Working Together for Our Students Wellbeing'
- Castlemartyr National School, Co Cork - Development of a 'Sensory Room' for pupils
- Conna National School, Co Cork - Working with the community on an online raffle and in improving the community for all
- Ennis National School, Co Clare - Development of a 'Winter Wonderland'
- Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna, Dublin 16 - A visit to the school by local celebrity guests – 4 Special Olympians organised by the PA
- Gaelscoil Dhroichead na Banndan, Co Cork - 'School uniform engagement' project
- Gaelscoil Eadan Doire, Co Offaly - The PA organised an event 'Scléip' bringing music and the Irish language to the local community
- Rahan National School, Mallow, Co Cork - Communication & Collaboration events; Tree planting, Fun walk/run, Newsletter etc
- River Valley Community National Schools, Co Dublin - 'Culture Month'; to learn about and from the school community in a fun way and to encourage everyone to embrace diverse cultural heritage. A 'Christmas Culture Crawl'
- Rush And Lusk Educate Together, Co Dublin - 'Culture Week'; an inclusive event in line with the ethos of the school & a resulting 'Recipe Book'
- Scoil Bhride, Naas, Co Kildare - Development of a 'Social, health promoting environment' for children
- St Anne’s National School, Ardclough, Co Kildare - Development of a 'Welcome Garden'
- St Mary’s Parish Primary, Drogheda, Co Louth - School based activities organised by the PA volunteers
- St Patrick’s National School, Crossabeg, Wexford - 'Stronger Together' a series of activities with the focus on bringing the school community back together
- St Peter’s National School, Dungourney, Co Cork - 'Adopt a Grandfriend' initiative
Click here to find out about the Award winners in 2021
