Carrigaline Educate Together’s Cowardly Lion Oskar Smith, a student from Carrigaline Educate Together NS in Kilnagleary, Co Cork, won Best Performance in a Supporting Role in the school’s production of Wizard of Oz on Ireland’s largest stage on Thursday on May 5th. Oskar was presented his award by well known Irish actress Amy Huberman. The Cork equality-based school is proud that their version of the Wizard of Oz which was also nominated for three Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards: Best Costumes, Best Performance by Oskar Smith as the Cowardly Lion in a supporting role and Best Overall School Musical. The award ceremony was held at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre with 22 students and 6 teachers from the school in attendance. Despite the fact that it was mid-term break, staff and participants set off at 5.30am in the morning to travel to Dublin in preparation for the large scale production. The selected school performed an extract from the show on stage on the day of the awards. Ellie Tattersall, Saoirse Lennon, Ellie Giltinan and Oskar Smith were lucky enough to perform on what is the largest stage in Ireland. Commenting on Oskar’s win, Rory Ward, a teacher in Carrigaline ETNS stated: “It is an amazing achievement! We are sure that this is only the beginning of many more great things for Oskar and we hope he remembers us when he is famous!” Rory continued how both Oskar’s success and the school’s remarkable achievement were incredible as he noted: “It was the first time a full production had ever been produced by the staff and students. It was extremely hard work, as they had to undertake after-school and weekend rehearsal. Nevertheless, the hard work paid off and a great day was had by all. Plans are already in place for next year’s school musical.” The reputable awards ceremony, presented by RTÉ’s Stephen Byrne and Bláthnaid Treacy, closed with a special performance from the famous Irish boy band Home Town. The hard work of Carrigaline Educate Together represents the amazing creativity that is evident throughout Educate Together primary and secondary school network. Who knows – Oskar Smith may be the recipient of an actual Oscar award some day?