The People's Choice Young Environmentalist Award Winners 2023

What an experience we had at the 'Young Environmentalist Awards 2023'. We had a very early start as we set off from school at 7.15am for the Convention Centre in Dublin. Once we arrived, we had to take all of our trees and props up to the second floor. Thankfully we were able to use the lift! Once we got all of our things up to our showcasing stall,  an organiser came to ask us to take part in a photo with all the other participants. Our children, the 'St. Francis' followers,' were so lucky as they got to be at the front and hold onto two of the signs.  

Afterwards, it was all the way back up to the second floor to get our project set up before the judges came. Our 'St. Francis' followers' worked so well as a team as they were able to set everything up so quickly and neatly. Once set up, we had time to explore the other stalls and have a look around the Convention Centre. It was so interesting to see and listen to the other projects that were going on all over Ireland.   

Then the time came, five minutes to eleven. The judges had arrived at our stall. When they came, the children were a little nervous. These nerves soon vanished once they got talking about the impressive project we have been working on for so long. Our Eco-Council discussed all aspects of the work we have completed so far this year and our plans for the future, in order to develop St. Francis' Garden further. The judges were so impressed with our project as were so many others. They were intrigued at how our pupils were able to do so much to develop biodiversity.   

Mrs Monaghan then took us all for a quick tour of Dublin. We headed towards Trinity College where we stopped to enjoy our lunch in the glorious weather. For dessert, we visited McDonald's for a McFlurry to cool us down before heading back to the Convention Centre for the awards ceremony. St. Francis' followers got front row seats for the ceremony that was broken up with some entertainment from the Key-Rons. Then it was time for the results. "The winners of The People's Choice Award 2023...", there was silence, then we heard our names! "St. Francis' Garden by St. Clare's Abbey". We couldn't believe it! We went up to the stage to collect our award and got our pictures taken.  When asked on stage what the best part of our project was, Lottie said "making new friends as we are all in different year groups."    When all the awards were presented, it was time to clear our stall and head back to school. We were so excited to share the news with our families and friends. We arrived back at school at 5.45pm with our parents were there to congratulate us. What an excellent day we all had.