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Do you have pupils in your class or school who are
involved in social outreach activities and who make a difference to
other people’s lives?
The Edmund
Rice Awards recognises young people who give of their time, energy
and commitment to those around them. It encourages young people
response to needs in their school and community.
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The
scheme is open to all primary and secondary students who
undertake a minimum of fifteen hours of voluntary service
work during the academic year. The work can be undertaken
during or after school. It is the responsibility of the
teacher to ensure that students fulfil the hours of
voluntary work. A reflective dimension is incorporated into
the scheme where students are visited three times during the
academic year to reflect on their voluntary service work and
on the person of Edmund Rice. We look at the life of Edmund
Rice and his Christian values and see what learning’s we can
take from his life today. Students are then invited to
attend an Awards ceremony at the end of the academic year
where they will have an opportunity to share about the
social justice work they were involved in and receive an
Edmund Rice Award certificate. |
Background
The Edmund Rice Awards project was set up in 1994 in conjunction
with other activities commemorating the 150th anniversary of the
death of Edmund Rice, the founder of the Christian Brothers and
Presentation Brothers. The Awards encourage young people to respond
voluntarily to the needs in their school and local communities in
the spirit of Edmund Rice. The project is open to all primary and
second level schools wishing to participate in such work.
Vision
Edmund Rice looked into his own heart. He took his inner journey of
faith very seriously. Looking at the world of his time he saw people
who were very poor, people neglected by others, lonely, afraid, and
without direction in their lives. He realised that God was leading
him to do something to make life better, especially for neglected
young people. He prayed, he struggled and he discussed with others
what he might do. He wanted to make a difference. Through the Awards
scheme students are opened to the realities of social injustice and
marginalisation. By their actions and reflection they make a
difference to the lives of others in their community. The students
are also influenced by their experience, thus enabling them to
understand more deeply the connections between life and their
Christian values.
Criteria
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15-20 hours
of voluntary service in school or in the community. It is the
responsibility of the teacher to ensure that participants fulfil
the hours of work.
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Students to
participate in reflective sessions on the person of Edmund Rice
and on their voluntary work conducted by the Co-ordinator
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The types of
service in which participants engage should be in line with the
vision of the Scheme and appropriate to the abilities and
maturity of the participants.
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An Awards
ceremony is held in April/ May and participants are required to
attend to receive their Edmund Rice Award.
Sample Projects
Undertaken:
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Mentoring
and tutoring young children in academic subjects and sport
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Assisting a
voluntary organisation e.g. Meals on Wheels, St Vincent de Paul
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Visiting
older people and the sick
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Assisting
people with special needs
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Fundraising
for and visiting a country in need e.g. India, Romania, Africa
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Redecorating
a premises
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Helping in a
soup kitchen or charity shop
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Fundraising
for a charity
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Training or
coaching a club
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Organising
an activity e.g. Christmas party for the elderly
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Organising a
music group for the benefit of the school or community
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Peer
ministry or Faith Friends
Nomination
You are invited to nominate pupils you feel deserve an Award
for their social justice work. Individual pupils or groups of
students can be nominated to receive an Edmund Rice Award. An
application form is available from the Co-ordinator of the Edmund
Rice Awards. On receipt of the returned application form the teacher
will be contacted by the Co-ordinator to arrange a school visit.
Award ceremonies
Numerous Award ceremonies are held in Ireland during April
and May of each academic year in the following places:
Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Belfast, Portlaoise, Newry
If you would like to find out more about the Awards please do not
hesitate to contact the Centre.
Edmund Rice Awards Co-ordinator
Edmund Rice Centre
North Richmond Street
Dublin 1
(01) 8196781 or
erawards@eircom.net
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