Global recognition for Offaly secondary school

Allyssa Bennies (Student Council President) and Oana Beian (Student Council Treasurer) celebrating the Microsoft Showcase School achievement

placeholder image — Allyssa Bennies (Student Council President) and Oana Beian (Student Council Treasurer) celebrating the Microsoft Showcase School achievement

Tullamore's Sacred Heart is only school in Ireland to win five Microsoft accolades

THE Sacred Heart School, Tullamore, has once again been recognised as a Microsoft Showcase School for 2025–2026, placing it among an elite group of institutions worldwide leading innovation in teaching and learning through technology.

In a remarkable achievement, the Sacred Heart is now the only school in Ireland to have received this accolade across five different academic years.

In a statement, the school said: “As an all-girls local school, the Sacred Heart has consistently demonstrated excellence in digital transformation, empowered educators, and actively contributed to a global network of forward-thinking schools.”

This latest honour is described by Kevin Marshall of Microsoft as a “new chapter” for the Tullamore school, reflecting its commitment to inclusive, student-centred, and future-ready learning.

The school statement added: “The recognition has also benefitted the wider school community. Initiatives such as the STEM Passport for Inclusion have created new opportunities for female students in science, technology, engineering, and maths, inspiring them to pursue ambitious pathways.

“With this milestone, the Sacred Heart School continues to lead the way in education — locally, nationally, and internationally.”