Press Release
St. Patricks Boys
National School Skibbereen win Muintir na Tire Cork School Garden of the Year
St. Patricks Boys National
School Skibereen have won the Muintir na
Tire Cork School Garden of the Year at the Cork School Garden Awards at Cork
County Hall today
The green-fingered children,
from all classes of the school, have helped create a sensory path and garden, a
zen garden, a living tunnel leading to its own willow dome, and a series of
raised vegetable beds, one for each class in the school, which features
everything from sweetcorn to onions and potatoes.
Inside, their Geodome over two hundred boys grow everything
from bananas and tea plants to avocado, melons, tomatoes, and squash, as well
as a selection of colourful but deadly carnivorous plants such as the Venus
flytrap and pitcher plant.
The Geodome at St. Patricks Boys National School Skibereen |
Staff and pupils have
worked very hard on their garden. Each class has its own vegetable bed, on
which the children and their teacher grow a selection of vegetables, berries,
and even flowers.
Junior infants, for example
cultivate sunflowers and strawberries, first-class pupils grow onions and
shallots, while sixth-class pupils concentrate on potatoes. They have also planted
an orchard and fruit bushes.
The Bug Hotel at St. Patricks Boys National School Skibereen |
The Sensory Path at St. Patricks Boys National School Skibereen |
The Zen Garden at St. Patricks Boys National School Skibereen |
Raised Beds at St. Patricks Boys National School Skibereen |
Their garden has many other
memorable elements other than food production, Biodiversity, Upcycling, Colour
and Art fun and play as well as learning opportunities for each class.
The garden includes many features to encourage wildlife and biodiversity. The pupils are very mindful of the plight of all their tiny friends – especially the bees and they developed a ‘wild patch’ to help our tiny creatures. They have also developed a nature walk to encourage biodiversity.
The garden includes many features to encourage wildlife and biodiversity. The pupils are very mindful of the plight of all their tiny friends – especially the bees and they developed a ‘wild patch’ to help our tiny creatures. They have also developed a nature walk to encourage biodiversity.
Upcycling is also important
here with composting and rainwater harvesting employed to great effect. Colour is achieved by reusing everyday items
as sculpture and art in the garden and the garden offers many opportunities for
fun and play. There is also natural amphitheatre, which doubles as an outdoor
classroom.
West Cork Schools did very
well this year with Muinefliuch NS,
Rusheen NS, Scoil na Buachaillí Clonakilty, Timoleague NS, Scoil Abán
Naofa Ballyvourney and Scoil Mhuire Schull all winning Special Awards
Others in West Cork who did
well were Scoil Phadraig Naofa Bandon, Aghabullogue Scoil Mhaoi Iosa
Knockavilla, Scoil Mhuire Ballincollig,
Ardfield NS Ballymoney NS, Ballyheada
NS, Scoil Mhuire Rosscarbery, Rath NS Baltimore and Ballyheada NS
Top Gardens in South and
East Cork included Scoil Clochair Mhuire Carrigtwohil, School Of the Divine
Child Ballintemple, St Marys Special School Rochestown, St Columbus GNS Douglas
and St John the Baptist NS Midleton. Other schools from South Cork included Cobh
Mixed NS, Gaelscoil Ui Eigeartaig Cobh and Gaelscoil Uí
Drisceoil Glanmire.
North Cork was also among
the winners with,Banteer NS Gaelscoil Thomás Daibhis Mallow, CBS
MitchelstownScoil Ballyhooley NS, Conna
NS all doing well while the following schools
also did well Vicarstown NS, Scoil Chroí Iosa Blarney, Coachford NS,
Ballygiblin NS, Rathduff Ns
Mr Sean Holland Muintir na
Tire said the standard was getting better each year making it very difficult
for the judges. He thanked The Environment and Heritage sections of Cork County
Council and our friends in Griffins Garden Centre Dripsey who give us great
help at every stage of the competition.
The Results
Commended School Gardens 2017
|
Vicarstown NS
Glandore NS
Scoil Chroí Iosa Blarney
Scoil Mhuire Rosscarbery
Coachford NS
Ballycroneen NS
Cobh Mixed NS
Gaelscoil Ui Eigeartaig Cobh
Ballygiblin NS
Rathduff Ns
Ballyheada NS
|
Highly Commended School Gardens 2017
|
Scoil Phadraig Naofa Bandon
Aghabullogue NS
Ballyhooley NS
Scoil mhaoi Iosa Knockavilla Ns
Scoil Mhuire Ballincollig
Conna NS
Ballymoney NS
St Marys Special School Rochestown
Ardfield NS
Gaelscoil Uí Drisceoil Glanmire
Rath NS
Kilcredan NS
|
Special Awards
|
|
Best Small Garden
|
Joint Winners
Gaelscoil ThomásDaibhis Mallow
CBS Mitchelstown
|
Best Biodiversity Garden
|
Muinefliuch NS
|
Most Innovative Garden
|
School of the Divine Child Ballintemple
|
Griffins Garden Centre
Best Bee Friendly Garden
|
Scoil Chlochair Mhuire, Carrigtwohill
|
Best Food Production Garden
|
Rusheen NS
|
Best Upcycling Garden
|
Scoil na Buachaillí Clonakilty
|
Best Colour and Art Garden
|
Joint Winners
Timoleague NS
Scoil Aban Naofa Ballymaceera
|
Best Fun and Play Garden
|
Banteer NS
|
Most improved Garden
|
Scoil Mhuire Schull
|
Best New Garden
|
Joint Winners
St Columbas GNS Douglas
St John the Baptist NS Midleton
|
School Garden Of The Year
|
St. Patricks Boys
National School Skibereen
|
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