North Cork Schools excel at The Pride in The Community Schools Garden Awards 2015

There was huge excitement for North Cork schools in the County Hall on June 24^th, at the Pride in The Community Schools Garden Awards 2015 this year.

Banteer N.S won the Most Improved Garden Award, Rusheen won Best Mixed Garden, Castletownroche won the Best Innovation and Creativity Award, Scoil Eoin Naofa won the Up-Cycling Art Award and Muinefliuch were winners of the Biodiversity Award.   St Lachteens N.S was commended for their entry while Glenahulla N.S, CBS Primary School, St Catherines N.S, Canovee N.S, Bweeng N.S, Scoil Fhursa Lyre, Rylane N.S and Dromleigh N.S were highly commended for their entries

The Competition is just in its third year and judging from the amount of entries received, the enthusiasm and high standard and quality involved from all the schools it was a huge success. The competition involves each school developing/planning a garden in their own way.  Both adults and students work together to decide what type of garden they want to create. The competition encourages all students to get involved in working in the garden and the competition also promotes sustainability and biodiversity.

The judges were very impressed with the high standard of the gardens involved. Mr Sean Holland introduced the schools involved and congratulated each school individually. This was then followed by an audio visual presentation that show cased all of the schools hard work. Sean then thanked Muintir ná Tíre for all their hard work in making the Pride in the Community School Garden’s Awards a huge success. He also thanked Cork County Council for their huge support.

Annette Lane of Cork County Federation Muintir ná Tíre was highly impressed with the standard of the gardens entered and spoke about the importance of getting into the garden and “getting your hands dirty.” She asked pupils to think outside the box and to include lots of colour in their gardens. She also thought that the PowerPoints on the gardens was a good way for new entrants to see other school’s work and come up with new ideas. Major Alan Coleman was highly impressed with the response to the School Garden Awards and encouraged everyone to partake next year. He congratulated all the schools  and said they were all winners. He hoped next year’s competition would be even bigger and better. Dr Mary Stack, Environmental Awareness Officer, Cork County Council was very impressed with the huge involvement from all the schools and congratulated all the schools on their huge contribution and the amount of work that was done by both students and pupils. She included the pupils in her speech by asking them about their recycling. Conor Nelligan Heritage Officer of Cork County Council thanked everyone for partaking and attending the Awards Ceremony. He said the competition was a huge success and congratulated all involved. Brendan Scahill HSE was highly impressed with the commitment of all the pupils involved and said that pupils would develop life skills by getting out and enjoying the garden.

2015 Pride in Our Community Schools Garden Award Winners

 Overall Winner:  Scoil Chlochair Mhuire National School, Carrigtwohill.

Commended

St. Lachteens N.S Donoughmore, Kealkill N.S

Highly Commended: Scoil Phadaig Naofa N.S, Scoil an tAthair Maitiu N.S,

Scoil Iosaf N.S Castlemartyr, St. Mary’s Primary School Rosscarbery, Glenhulla N.S, CBS Primary School Mitchelstown, Carrigboy N.S Durrus, St. Catherine’s N.S Conna St. Coleman’s N.S Cloyne, Kilcredan N.S, Scoil Mhuire Ballincollig, Bweeng N.S, Scoil Fhursa Lyre N.S, Goggins Hill N.S, Gaelscoil Dr. Ui Shuileabhain N.S, Drinagh N.S, Knockskeagh N.S, Walterstown N.S Cobh, Canovee N.S, Gaelscoil Ui Drisceoil N.S, Gaelscoil Ui Riordain N.S, Rath N.S Baltimore, St. Mary’s School Rochestown, Scoil Aban Naofa N.S, Dromleigh N.S, Rylane N.S, School of Divine Child Ballintemple, and Scoil Bhride N.S Ballydehob.

Best in Category:

Banteer N.S (Most Improved Garden)

Scoil Mhuire Schull (Edible Garden)              

Muinefluich N.S Macroom (Bio Diversity Garden)

Scoil Eoin Naofa Ballyclough (Art/ Upcycling in Garden)

Rusheen N.S (Mixed Garden)

Timoleague N.S Second Year Running (Best Small Garden)

Scoil Na Buachailli Clonakility (Best New Entry)

Castletownroche (Best Innovation Entry)

Organised by Cork County Federation Muintir na Tire and Cork County Council

8 Sidney Place,

Wellington Road Cork

Phone:0214500688

Fax: 021450053

email: admin@muintircork.com

website: Muintircork.com

About the Competition:  The competition is run in conjunction with Cork County Council, Environment directorate and Heritage Section and Griffins Garden Centre.  The aim of the “Pride in the Community Schools Competition” is to support pupils, teachers in County Cork, to bring nature, wildlife, plants and colours into their school grounds, to promote horticulture and biodiversity to give students a chance to interact with the environment and nature in a positive way. Studies have shown that school gardens promote positive environmental attitudes and provide an excellent opportunity to develop more positive attitudes towards science at an early age.