Coláiste Naomh Cormac wins top prize at inaugural AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards

THE inaugural AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards, celebrating schools that give back to the community, took place in Croke Park on last Wednesday, having received a staggering 123 submissions from 103 schools across the country. Schools across Ireland showcased their amazing work to contribute to the betterment of their communities at the Gala Awards in Croke Park. The event was hosted by digital creator, presenter, and actor Muinteoir John Sharpson.

Colaiste Naomh Cormac were among the winners in the Large Group Social category. Their project was from a mixed group of Junior and Senior students. The description of the project stated that Croí na Comharsanachta strives to be the "Heart of the Neighbourhood," fostering community unity through various initiatives. From educational programmes to cultural events, they emphasise collaboration, diversity, and inclusion, making a meaningful impact on residents of all ages.

The AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards centre on three key pillars of activity: Environmental, Social, and Financial. These pillars encompass a wide range of activities that contribute to the betterment of communities, including volunteering, fundraising, awareness campaigns, mentoring, peer education, skills-sharing, and environmental conservation.

The AIB Future Sparks Programme is a skills-based interdisciplinary programme for post primary schools. Underpinned by rich education resources, this programme joins the dots for young people and their teachers as they navigate major transitions and key life moments by providing rich educational resources across multiple subject areas, such as Guidance Related Learning, Wellbeing, Business, Economics, Accounting, TY, Financial Education, and Home Economics.

As part of AIB’s commitment to sustainable communities, the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards recognise and reward schools’ contributions to the social, financial, and environmental success of their community. The awards provide a platform to showcase the endeavours schools are undertaking to inspire and ignite change, such as fundraising, volunteering, activism, mentoring, and more. Importantly, students who have participated leverage the skills they have acquired, using them to make a positive impact in the community while learning and developing new skills along the way.

Ann Marie Freyne, Head of Retail Distribution AIB Mid East at AIB, said: “We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding contributions made by schools across Ireland through the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards. These awards enable students to leverage the skills they have acquired to make a positive impact in the community all the while fostering continuous learning and skill development.”

For 2024, the programme received a staggering 123 submissions from a whopping 103 schools, from the full spectrum of post primary schools spanning 22 counties.