Millennium Integrated Primary School Celebrates Incredible Success at the 2026 Carson Awards.

The Carson Awards Showcase is an annual event which celebrates the creative talent of Integrated pupils by exhibiting the amazing projects they have been working on over the past year.  Millennium IPS (IPS) in Carryduff was presented with a very special award for Outstanding Commitment to the Carson Awards recognising the whole school involvement.  The school also received First Prize in Key Stage One for their project ‘It’s always better when we are together’ and a further Second Prize in Key Stage Two for their video ‘Together we’ll be OK.’

The Integrated Education Fund (IEF) is delighted that Dan Gordon, renowned actor, director and playwright from Belfast, kindly gave his time to host this very special celebration event at Malone Integrated College (IC) 15 October.  Dan wrote and performed the acclaimed one-man show ‘A Rebel without a Pause’, which told the story of late comedian and Carson Awards-founder Frank Carson.  It also marks a significant year for the Carson Awards as it would have been the 100th birthday of Frank Carson this year.

Host Dan Gordon said:

“I am delighted to host the annual Carson Awards Showcase this year.  The Carson Awards Showcase offer a fantastic opportunity for young people to express themselves creatively under the theme of ‘What Integrated Education Means to Me’. As an actor, director and playwright, I have been so impressed by the wide variety of innovative projects on display.  The Carson Awards Showcase offers a glimpse into a very bright future for the next generation.”

The Carson Bursary grant programme and Carson Awards were generously started by late comedian and Integrated Education supporter Frank Carson, along with his son Tony Carson in 2008.  The Carson Awards Showcase gives those who have received a Carson Bursary or won a Carson Award the opportunity to show their creative projects. This year it felt fitting to hold the event in Malone IC, a school which has fostered creativity through participation in the Carson Awards and Carson Bursaries over many years.

Firstly, Millennium IPS received an award for Outstanding Commitment to the Carson Awards in recognition of their whole school participation over many years.  The judges were particularly impressed by the wide range of projects submitted from across the school community, highlighting the school's dedication to nurturing creativity and inclusion at every stage of learning.

In addition, the school was awarded First Prize in Key Stage One for its inspiring project ‘It’s always better when we are together.’  The project explored the powerful message that we are stronger together, regardless of race, gender, religion, or any other differences.  The project culminated in a vibrant ‘Colour Party’, where the pupils’ white t-shirts were drenched with colour powder, creating a striking visual representation of unity, diversity, and belonging.

Further success came in Key Stage Two, where Millennium IPS’s Oak Class SPiM video, ‘Together we'll be OK’, was awarded Second Prize. The video featured pupils from the specialist provision class as they taught the song and accompanying dance moves to the wider school community.  This heartwarming performance demonstrated inclusion in action and celebrated the strong sense of integration and belonging fostered throughout the school.

Paul Caskey OBE, Chief Executive at the IEF, said:

“The IEF are delighted to be celebrating the 19th year of the Carson Awards.  The variety and quality of entries never ceases to amaze.  We want to congratulate Millennium IPS as the winners of the ‘Outstanding Commitment to the Carson Awards’ special prize.  Having seen the level of entries consistently submitted each year, it is clear that the school are worthy winners of this award. 

In addition to this special award, the school received First Prize in Key Stage One and Second Prize in Key Stage Two, an incredible achievement.  Given the high level of entries this year, Millennium IPS should be extremely proud of this achievement.

The IEF also wants to thank Tony Carson for his continued support for the Carson Awards, which is a fitting tribute to the legacy of our friend and supporter Frank Carson.’

For more information on the Carson bursary programme and Carson Awards please see our website here:  https://www.ief.org.uk/our-work/grants/carson-awards/