Tullamore College students complete Gaisce adventure challenge

Tullamore College students in Transition Year and 5th Year students successfully completed the adventure activity element of the Gaisce Award Challenge.

This marked the final stage of their Bronze and Silver Award journeys, having already completed the required weeks in a Personal Skill, Physical Recreation, and Community Involvement.

The adventure began with a walk from Turraun Nature Park back to the school, where students camped overnight – on the floor of the school gym. The following day, students continued their journey on foot to Ballycommon, with Silver participants pressing on to Daingean.

On the final day, Silver students completed their final 14 km stretch, ending at Kilbeggan Harbour. In total, Bronze participants walked over 25 km, while Silver students covered an impressive 50 km.

This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible support of staff. Thank you to the teachers who camped out with students overnight in the school: Ms Burke, Ms Coleman, Mr Connell, Ms A. Dunne, Mr McDermott, Ms McEvoy, and Mr A. Moran.

A huge thank you also to Ms Seery for leading the team-building activities, with help from Ms Caulfield, Mr Connell, Mr Gill, Ms Gorry, Ms Goulding, Ms Guilfoyle, Ms Kenny, Mr P. Moran, Ms Quirke, and our two fantastic Gold Gaisce volunteers, Katie Deverell and Isobel McAuliffe.

Thanks to the many staff who supported students along the route: Mr Buckley, Ms Burke, Mr Connell, Ms Connell, Ms A. Dunne, Ms H. Dunne, Mr Feighery, Ms Fox, Ms Guilfoyle Donaghy, Mr Kirwan, Mr McDermott, Ms McEvoy, Mr A. Moran, Ms Power, and Ms Seery.

Evening activities were made possible by the support of: Ms Bradley, Ms Burke, Ms O. Butler, Ms Coleman, Mr Connell, Ms A. Dunne, Ms H. Dunne, Ms Goulding, Ms Guilfoyle Donaghy, Ms Kenny, Ms Gallagher, Ms Graham, Mr Lowndes, Mr McDermott, Ms McEvoy, Ms McGovern, Mr Meehan, Ms Monaghan, Mr A. Moran, Ms Perry, Ms Power, Ms Rougerie, and Ms Woods.

The school extends a special thanks to Ms Quirke for coordinating the timetabling to allow this initiative to run, and to Mr McEvoy for transporting students between start and finish points.

It truly takes a village to bring Gaisce to life – thank you to everyone who made it possible!