Gaisce - the President’s Award is Ireland’s National Challenge Award, the country’s most prestigious and respected individual award programme, and a challenge from the President of Ireland, to young people between 15 and 25 years of age.
There are three different types of award that you can earn – bronze, silver and gold. There are 4 different challenge areas. To earn an award, you will need to participate in each of the 4 challenge areas. You might decide to build on an activity you’ve tried in the past. Each participant must participate in at least one new activity to earn an award.
Our 4 challenge areas are:
- Community Involvement
- Personal Skill
- Physical Recreation
- Adventure Journey
Students in Mount St. Michael participate primarily in the Bronze and Silver Awards. Over the years they have completed a variety of activities from participation in the Big Sister/Little Sister programme to learning how to play a musical instrument. Students in Transition Year also have the choice to complete their adventure section at Lough Allen Adventure Centre where they can complete a canoeing or hill-walking challenge.