Gaisce
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 each participant.
The Gaisce Award works on the basis of a personal challenge set by the participants. Students are required to participate in four sections: physical activity, community involvement, taking up a new skill and a venture activity.
The award programme is open to all young people between the ages of 15-25. Anyone can take part as long as they are self motivated and up to the challenge. The award can be undertaken at 3 different levels:
1. Bronze (minimum 6 months)
2. Silver (minimum 12 months)
3. Gold (minimum 18 months)
In the Sacred Heart, all 5th year and Transition Year students are encouraged to take the award at Bronze level. 60% of our students apply, with 2/3's of them achieving their award. Some students go on to achieve their Silver award while attending the Sacred Heart. The Participating Award Leaders (PALs) involved in the Sacred Heart are Ms Maura Callan and Ms Miriam Corboy.
| Challenge | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
| Personal Skill | 13 weeks | 26 weeks | 39 weeks |
| Community | 13 weeks | 26 weeks | 39 weeks |
| Phsyical | 13 weeks | 26 weeks | 39 weeks |
| Choice Activity | 13 weeks | 13 weeks | 26 weeks |
| Venture Activity | 2 days (1 overnight) |
3 days (2 overnights) |
4 days (3 overnights) |
Gaisce Trip
The students attempting to achieve their Gaisce Award embarked upon their two day hike across the Wicklow mountains. The hike spanned along 35km of rough terrain and beautiful countryside. They stayed overnight at Knockree Hostel and had to cook their evening meal. The girls really embraced the challenge and despite the long trek and steep hills, they rallied together to display fantastic teamwork and support for each other and accomplished their task.
Cookery for Gaisce
The 5th year and transition year students work towards their Bronze Gaisce award by completing the cookery requirement of their award in school. They made a variety of dishes in the Home Economics kitchens including chocolate and jam doughnut muffins, chicken curry, lasagne and chicken paprika bake, bolognese, bakewell tarts and lemon drizzle cake.