Major national award for Mayo school

Castlebar Educate Together NS has been announced as the winner of the Ocean Literacy and Creativity category in the Marine Institute's Explorers Education Programme Ocean Champions Awards 2025-2026.

The school's project, ‘Ocean Rhythms: Marine Patterns, Sound, and Life’, was selected from 22 participating schools nationwide, with only nine shortlisted for the final awards.

The innovative project saw all pupils in the school conduct a habitat study on the seashore, with most classes visiting Mulranny Beach, and one class went to Keel Beach.

This learning in nature opportunity afforded the pupils hands-on experience to further explore marine life through patterns. All classes in the school participated, and pupils studied patterns such as the sounds of sea creatures and migration patterns to tessellated life forms and tidal cycles.

Students showcased their learning through music, artwork, and a special school assembly performance in the Linenhall Arts Centre.

Mary Gavaghan from the National Parks and Wildlife Service worked with students on seashore wildlife and mammals, while Noel Campbell from the National Museum of Ireland Country Life, Turlough, presented on Boats of the Wild Atlantic Way. Raphael Dziubinski from Music Generation Mayo supported pupils to explore ocean rhythms through music, and students participated in a BirdWatch Ireland webinar on migratory bird patterns.

Judges commended the school for its unique approach to ocean literacy, noting how the project strengthened connections with the local marine environment, developed observational and creative skills across the curriculum, and empowered children to become active ocean stewards in their community.

Principal Sarah Calvey said it was amazing to see the pupils’ creativity and dedication to learning about the ocean being recognised at a national level.

“This award celebrates their curiosity, hard work, and commitment to understanding and protecting our marine environment. We especially want to thank Sorsha Kennedy, our Explorers Champion, for working with us and inspiring us throughout this integrated learning project," she said.