Ellen wins essay-writing award

Ellen wins essay-writing award

6 November 2024

A STUDENT from Shimna Integrated College has won a highly prestigious essay-writing competition.

Sixth form student Ellen Watson won first prize in the Integrated Education Fund’s (IEF) competition, after being selected from a competitive field of entries form across Northern Ireland.

The panel of judges praised Ellen’s work as “a very comprehensive, well-researched essay that answers the question and is also really well-written on a sentence-by-sentence basis”.

They went on: “A fulsome summary of the legal changes, with good knowledge of other factors not directly related to legislation but relevant. Well referenced. Summarised chronology of the legal status plus good personal/anecdotal observation.”

This achievement showcases Ellen’s writing skills, critical thinking, and her ability to thoughtfully engage with complex topics related to the theme of the competition.

Ellen has been invited to the annual Carson Award Showcase, where she will be formally presented with her prize. 

A spokesperson for Shimna Integrated College said it was “immensely proud” of Ellen and looked forward to her continued success. 

“This award highlights the values of integrated education, promoting dialogue, understanding, and thoughtful reflection—values that are deeply rooted in the ethos of our college,” the spokesperson added.