Students from Bunclody Community College recently scooped first place in the senior category of a “Creative Competition” which was organised by the Immigrant Council of Ireland in cooperation with the FAI and the Schools of Sanctuary organisation.
A video, called “This is Ireland”, was filmed and produced by creative and talented students from different year groups and entered into the Schools of Sanctuary competition. The theme of the video focuses on Ireland as a country of emigrants and immigrants, and a place where all people who seek sanctuary are welcome. The students, and their director Mr Paul Cahill, wanted to emphasise that despite the rise of the Far-Right in some countries, and the negative attention and protests directed at immigrants in our own country over the past few years, the people of Ireland are not racist. This group wanted to send a message that for the most part Irish people welcome and appreciate newcomers into their communities.
The winning entry depicts Ireland as a vibrant, unique and increasingly diverse place full of tradition and culture and this video wanted to highlight this. Students began by listing all the things they loved about Ireland. They put all these things into a Slam-Poem format prior to recording. Each student then had a line to contribute and background scenes were added through green-screen technology which is used in the school. The judges complimented the winning students for their outstanding concept and implementation. The winners received a €200 One 4 all voucher, an Art set, and an Ireland Jersey. “This is Ireland” can be viewed on the schools website. The school community would like to commend our students and their teacher Mr Cahill for this outstanding production.