All transition year students are encouraged to participate in the President’s award – Gaisce at bronze level. The President’s award is the National Challenge Award from the President of Ireland to young people between 15 and 25 years of age. To earn an award a participant agrees a suitable challenge in four different areas of activity with an award leader and then pursues the activity. The award is non-competitive and once the participant achieves the challenge then he/she is automatically entitled to an award.

The President’s Award or Gaisce is a prestigious award from the President to the young people of Ireland. It was launched in International Youth Year 1985. The programmes of the scheme are designed to encourage initiative, self-discipline, leadership and caring skills in young people between the ages of 15 and 25. There are three levels at which one can participate – Bronze (for 15 and over), Silver (for 16 and over), and the Gold (for 17 and over). There are 4 sections in the Award:

>> Community Involvement,
>> Personal Skill,
>> Physical Recreation,
>> Venture Projects.

The minimum period of participation for each award is as follows: Bronze – 6 months, Silver – 12 months, Gold – 18 months.

In the Community Involvement Section, the participant must choose one form of community service such as: care of the aged, conservation project, First Aid work, help in children’s homes, day nurseries or special schools, help with the sick or handicapped, lifesaving. The requirements for this award are as follows: Bronze – at least 15 hours spread whenever possible over 6 months; Silver Award – at least 30 hours spread whenever possible over 6 months; Gold Award – at least 60 hours spread whenever possible over 12 months.

In the Personal Skills Section the participant must choose one personal skill to be pursued over the required period of time for their award such as: arts and crafts, computers, dressmaking, enterprise type of activity, fishing, leadership training, playing a musical instrument, public speaking. The requirements for this award are: Bronze – 6 months; Silver – 9 months; Gold Award – 12 months.

In the Physical Recreation Section, the participant must choose one form of physical recreation such as: athletics, basketball, Camogie, football, golf, hurling, rugby, swimming. The requirements for this are as follows: Bronze – one hour per week over 12 weeks; Silver – one hour per week over 15 weeks; Gold – one hour per week over 18 weeks.

During the time you’re completing all this, you also have to plan and carry out a Venture Project, such as: an expedition – by foot, cycling, canoe or on horseback; an exploration – research and surveys; a cross-cultural exchange with another country (Bronze and Silver levels only). The requirements for this award are: Bronze – for a minimum of two days; Silver – for a minimum of three days; Gold – for a minimum of four days.