OsKaRs night a huge success as students reach for the stars!

It was a night full of glitz and glam as over 2000 guests attended St Francis Special School's ‘A Night at the OsKaRs' in the INEC.

| By Sean Moriarty

The school teamed up with Kevin Rowe Events on Thursday night as a fundraiser for services for the students whose motto is 'Reach for the Stars'.

The ambitious project involved students, staff and supporters who come together to make seven short films based on famous movies with teachers, SNAs, the secretary, house staff, bus escorts, parents, family and members of the children’s therapy team.

They each competed for titles like Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor during the night's event.

The judging panel included former GAA star and TV pundit Pat Spillane, the famous dancing Garda Mary Gardiner, radio DJ Brendan Fuller and comedian Bernard Casey.

A four-person committee was led by principal Keith O Brolacháin.

“The Ring of Kerry Cycle race is one of our biggest fundraisers,” said committee member Fiona Carroll.

“I was involved in that and straight afterwards Keith approached me with this idea. My first thought was no way, this can’t work, but he had done something similar at his previous school in Cobh. It was an amazing journey and an amazing night . The kids from the school stole the show with their performance of ‘The Greatest Showman’ – a story about people hidden from society and very fitting with our motto ‘Reach for the Stars’.

"All money raised is going to refurbishing our therapy rooms including speech and language, occupational therapy and sen- rooms."

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