A Whole-School Welcome: Galway ETSS Recognised as a Champion School of Sanctuary
Galway Educate Together Secondary School (GETSS) has become the first secondary school in Galway to be awarded Champion School of Sanctuary status, a proud recognition of the school’s commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all. GETSS now joins other Educate Together schools, including Stepaside ETSS and New Ross ETNS, in achieving this prestigious champion status.
Embedding the Sanctuary Principles
Since signing its School of Sanctuary pledge in January 2023, GETSS has embraced the three Sanctuary Principles (Learn, Action, and Share) and embedded them across all areas of school life through intercultural learning, community engagement, and creative, student-led projects.
Student-Led Projects on Inclusion
Last year, ahead of their monitoring visit, the school held a three-day Project-Based Learning (PBL) event focused on sanctuary and inclusion. Junior students explored and celebrated the many cultures represented in the school, with students from over 40 countries speaking 35 languages. They created videos and Padlet presentations about their assigned countries. Senior students researched the experiences of marginalised groups, including migrants, people experiencing homelessness, and people with disabilities. They developed educational resources and awareness campaigns inspired by Universal Design for Learning, helping to foster empathy, understanding, and positive action.
A Successful Monitoring Visit
On October 23rd, 2024, the School of Sanctuary Monitoring Team visited GETSS and were warmly welcomed by staff, students, and parents. The school’s Student Ambassadors (Adedolamu, Anthony, Lina, Sadbh, Sonia, and Zubair) delivered an inspiring presentation about their Sanctuary journey. They highlighted achievements such as earning a Diplomatic Passport for Global Citizenship Education and adding a translation feature to the school website following parent feedback.
The visitors were deeply impressed by the school’s inclusive ethos, the respect shown among students, and the rich celebration of diversity throughout the building. Parents shared delicious food from their School Cookbook.
Official Recognition and Celebration
Following the visit, Galway ETSS was officially recognised as a Champion School of Sanctuary, the first secondary school in the county to achieve this honour. The school community proudly received its award at a special ceremony in NUI Galway in November 2025.
Five students — each from a different background— attended the ceremony and spoke to the audience about their journey to become a School of Sanctuary. They also recited a poem they had written themselves in their mother tongues, beautifully embodying diversity and inclusion in their words.
This inspiring event would not have been possible without the dedication and support of the school’s teachers and staff. As was highlighted during the ceremony, educators have the power to shape today’s leaders. In the ceremony was Tara, their teacher, and Sara, the Principal.
The celebration also paid tribute to former President Michael D. Higgins, who was pointed a truly ambassador of the values of the School of Sanctuary — not only recognising diversity in Ireland, but celebrating it.
“Inclusive and ethical societies can only grow from communities that are ethical in their structure and practice – communities that work together, in solidarity, and recognise the needs of all their members, including, in particular, those who are vulnerable and marginalised.”
– Michael D. Higgins
