On Monday, March 2nd 2026, the National Champion Schools of Sanctuary Awards Ceremony took place at TU Dublin, bringing together school communities from across the country for a joyful and inspiring celebration of schools that are leading the way in creating welcoming, inclusive communities. There was a real sense of pride in the room as students, teachers and guests gathered to recognise the dedication, compassion and heart behind this important work.
The ceremony opened with a warm welcome from our MCs, Ghada Ashour and Kinda Nassli, who brought great energy to the room, getting the crowd singing along while also sharing their own journeys and reflecting on the importance of the day’s celebration.
We were honoured to hear opening remarks from the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, who praised the schools for their commitment to inclusion, telling students, “As Champions, you have achieved excellence in the key values of welcome, inclusion and belonging and we salute you for this great achievement.” He also commended their dedication to building “respect, understanding and unity” within their school communities, describing the award as a well-deserved recognition of truly meaningful work.
Gerard Howlin, Chair of the Governing Body at TU Dublin, spoke of how pleased TU Dublin was to host the ceremony and welcome the schools for such an important occasion. He acknowledged the leadership and dedication shown by students and staff and reaffirmed the university’s strong support for initiatives that promote access, diversity and belonging.
Our keynote speaker, Zak Moradi, shared his personal story with honesty and warmth, reflecting on how students themselves are leading the way in ensuring that every young person feels welcome, valued and happy to learn in school. His message about belonging, resilience and the power of community resonated strongly with students and staff alike.
The highlight of the morning was the presentation of awards to eight newly recognised Champion Schools of Sanctuary: Bremore Educate Together Secondary School; St Mary’s CBS; St Joseph’s C.B.S. Primary School; St Mary’s College Naas; Castletown Girls’ National School; St Joseph’s C.B.S. Secondary School; Marino College; and CBS James’s Street. Each school brought creativity and sincerity to the stage through poetry, drama, music and movement, sharing what inclusion means in their own unique way. The confidence and leadership shown by students were trulyÂ
inspiring and a reminder that young people are at the heart of this work.
We extend our sincere thanks to all the staff and students who worked so hard to achieve this recognition and to attend the ceremony. We are especially grateful to TU Dublin and its Access and Outreach Team for their generous support in hosting the event, as well as to our guest speakers, volunteers, Sanctuary Ambassadors, the Schools of Sanctuary Steering Group and the Board of Places of Sanctuary Ireland for their continued dedication. The ceremony concluded with closing remarks from the Schools of Sanctuary Ireland team, bringing to a close a truly memorable day that was enjoyed by all and celebrated the very best of our school communities.