St. Mary's Secondary School, Ballina

The President’s Award

The President’s Award

About The Award

Gaisce – the President’s Award is Ireland’s very own National Challenge Award, the country’s most prestigious and respected individual award programme, and a challenge from the President of Ireland, to you… the nation’s future.

What’s it all about?

Gaisce – the President’s Award works on the basis of a personal challenge set by you. You will set the challenge and agree it with a President’s Award leader. You won’t be competing with other participants, as each challenge is completely individual… so the only person you’ll compete with is yourself.

How does it work?

There are three different types of award that you can earn – bronze, silver and gold. The minimum age for the bronze award is 15. It is earned over a minimum period of 6 months. If you want something a little more testing, the minimum age for the silver award is 16. It is earned over a minimum period of 12 months. Or if you’re up to the challenge, the gold award is our most demanding challenge, and the minimum age for this award is 17. It is earned over a minimum period of 18 months.

How to earn an award?

There are four different challenge areas. To earn an award, you will need to participate in each of the four challenge areas. You might decide to build on an activity you’ve tried in the past. Each participant must participate in at least one new activity to earn an award.

Our four challenge areas are:

1. Community Involvement

2. Personal Skill

3. Physical Recreation

4. Adventure Journey

A Residential Project is required for the Gold Award

Who can compete for the President’s Award?The Award programme is open to all young people between the ages of 15 and 25. Anyone can take part as long as you’re self-motivated and up to the challenge.

May 30
2023
End of Year House Exams
Jun 02
2023
Class end for Summer Holidays
Aug 28
2023
1st year students Mass of Welcomes & Induction Day
Aug 29
2023
5th year, 6th year & LCA students return
12-May-2023
Congratulations to the St.Mary's girls who were part of the U18 Ballina rugby team
10-May-2023
Well done to 2nd yr students Clodagh Cawley, Ashling Gilmartin and Anna Connolly who won the Smurfit Kappa award for Sustainability at SciFest in Sligo!
24-Feb-2023
St. Mary's Secondary School hope to join in the fun and is encouraging as many of our students and staff as possible to take part. Over the next week, girls wishing to take part will be provided with 8 week training plans to prepare them for the day.
Convent Hill, Ballina, Co. Mayo, F26 R928
353 96 70333
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© 2023 St. Mary's Secondary School, Ballina