More than 400 entries were submitted across the different categories of The Nautilus Project school awards, with over 350 people attending the presentation ceremony on June 8 at the Aurora Ballroom at the Sunborn in Gibraltar. The awards marked the culmination of a full academic year of marine science outreach in local schools.
A spokesperson for The Nautilus Project said the judging process took more than five hours because of the volume and standard of the entries received. TNP has already held more than 45 school workshops this year, with further sessions booked before the end of term.
The event was held with sponsorship from Pretty Sailing. The judging panel included Bianca Daniell, director of the Finsbury Trust, Nicholas Balban from the Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association, Nautilus youth leader Alexander Sanchez-Soiza, Nautilus youth monitor Eva Guillem, Gianna Balban, Melanie Stagnetto and Lewis Stagnetto.
The awards were presented by the Governor Lieutenant General Sir Ben Bathurst, Minister for Environment Dr John Cortes, Yury Hushchyn and Bianca Daniell.
St Annes Upper Primary School was named the overall school winner, followed by Notre Dame Lower Primary School and St Pauls Lower Primary School. St Josephs Lower Primary School received a highly commended award. Cameron Byrne was named Nautilus Youth Volunteer of the Year.
Winners were recognised across multiple categories spanning lower primary through secondary school levels, including Kyle Wood from St Martins School and Gibraltar College Level 1.