South and East Cork well represented at Pride in The Community Schools Garden Competition 2015

Scoil Chlochair Mhuire Girls National School, Carrigtwohill were the overall winners at this year’s Pride in the Community Garden Awards which was held in the county hall on June 24^th 2015.

St Coleman’s National School (Cloyne) Kilcredan N.S, Walterstown (Cobh),Scoil Mhuire (Ballincollig) Scoil an tAthair Maitiu (Togher), School of the Divine Child (Ballintemple), Gaeilscoil Ui Drisceoil, Gaeilscoil Ui Riordain, Scoil Iosaf N.S and St Mary’s School Rochestown  received Highly Commended awards for their School Gardens.

The Competition is 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 come and 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.

County Mayor Cllr. Alan Coleman was highly impressed with the response to the School Garden Awards and encouraged everyone to partake again 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.

2015 Pride in Our Community Schools Garden Award  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, Drimleigh 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)

Castletown Roche (Best Innovation Entry)

             

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

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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.