Sarah McInerny, of Doora National School, a fourth-class pupil is the latest winner in An Post’s nationwide search for polished penmanship.
From 5,682 individual entries, Sarah’s impressive and beautifully presented submission on this year’s theme, “Making Better Happen for Our Community” wowed judges to become the overall champion.
The contest invited primary school children ranging from junior infants to 6th class, including pupils in special needs schools, to explore how they can create positive change in their everyday lives, with a focus on sustainability, diversity and inclusion. Pupils were encouraged to write a letter in either Irish or English and create an accompanying illustration, sharing their ideas on how they can “make better happen” in the places where they live, learn and play.
Speaking for An Post, Mags O’Reilly, Brand Communications and Sponsorship manager celebrated the annual event, “We were truly overwhelmed with not only the amount, but the quality of entries we received this year from children across Ireland. Sarah’s submission wowed us all with her beautiful calligraphy and message of community and sustainability. She reminded us of how we can all make better happen every day and we are delighted to recognise her achievement. We also congratulate all the schoolchildren who took part this year, and their teachers.”
As the overall winner, Sarah’s entry will be displayed on a postcard, available free of charge in local post offices in the Ennis area, that will travel all around the world as people send love to their nearest and dearest, far and wide. Sarah also received a €250 One4all gift card, with her school receiving a €500 prize. All participants will receive certificates recognising their involvement alongside category prizes for pupils and schools.
To further support participation, An Post provided schools with practical classroom resources, developed in collaboration with teachers. Packed with facts, lesson plans and interactive activities, the materials were designed to bring the theme to life and support learning at every class level, with an expanded range of content available for this year’s competition.
These resources are available to all primary schools here.
