An Post/INTO Handwriting Competition 2016
11 May 2016
The national handwriting challenge has attracted entries from all ages and continues to be competitive among children in both primary and secondary schools. With 1,300 schools participating, strong support from teachers and principals is the key to the consistently large number and high standard of entries – as educators realise the importance of handwriting in child development and in the practicalities of day to day living.
The theme for this year’s competition was the 1916 Centenary with a special focus on the GPO and on the effect of Easter Week 1916 on children who were caught up in the events of the Rising. An Post chose their special issue 1916 Centenary Stamps as a learning tool for students to link with real people and real events. The competition asked children to explore these topics on An Post’s online schools website, www.anpostschoolbag.ie Classes worked together and to create a written account of what they learned and to enter their best handwriting as the final output of their work.
An Post invited the national winners to be among the first schools in the country to visit GPO Witness History, the new immersive audio-visual experience, which puts visitors right at the heart of Easter Week when the GPO was both the Rebels’ military command centre and the seat of the provisional Irish Government. The winners were treated to a VIP trip with a guided tour including special effects, interactive exhibits and heartfelt stories of real people in extraordinary circumstances.
Speaking to the winning students An Post Chief Executive, Donal Connell said “Communications were at the heart of the 1916 Rising during the conflict of Easter Week, that is why the GPO was such an important building and this message is captured very clearly by GPO Witness History. Despite the many changes in technology, our ability to express ourselves and to present opinions and facts is closely linked to the learning we do when we are developing our handwriting skills. An Post is delighted to reward student’s effort with a trip to our new Visitor Centre, where that learning can continue, I know that the winners will enjoy their day very much.”
INTO President, Rosena Jordan congratulated students and teachers on their strong support for the competition: “This competition shows the art and skill of handwriting is flourishing in Ireland. INTO has a long association with the teaching of handwriting, since our first President, Vere Foster, developed copy books to improve handwriting. This competition is a wonderful celebration of the work of children and their teachers.The art of handwriting is something that is needed in all walks of life. “
The winners of the 2016 An Post/INTO Handwriting Competition are:
Primary School Winners
- Madeleine O'Dwyer, St. Brendan's N.S., Ballyfoyle, Co. Kilkenny
- Roibeárd Ó Maoilmhín, Gaelscoil Naomh Pádraig, Bothar an Chaisleán, Leamhcán, Co. Átha Cliath
- Lucy Keohane, Cloghroe N.S., Cloghroe, Co. Cork
- Ella Corrigan, Scoil Treasa, Ballycullen Avenue, Firhouse, Dublin 24
- Andra Tekoriute, Bunscoil Lughaidh Naofa, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan
- Nikita O'Sullivan, Scoil Chaitríona Cailíní, Mask Avenue, Coolock, Dublin 5
- Johnathon Kelleher, Scoil Naomh Eoin, Ballincurrig, Leamlara, Co. Cork
Secondary School Winners
- Liam O'Leary, Pobalscoil Na Tríonóide, Frogmore, Youghal, Co Cork
- Nuala Fitzgibbon, Ursuline Secondary School, Templemore Road, Thurles, Co Tipperary
