Council Reveals Schools’ Environmental Calendar Competition Winners

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has unveiled the winners of this year’s Schools’ Environmental Calendar poster competition at a reception for primary and secondary school pupils from across the district on Tuesday 12 November, held in the Council offices in Monaghan Row, Newry.

The thirteen selected posters will feature in the 2020 Schools’ Environmental Calendar. All schools in the district will receive a free supply of the calendar to give out to staff and families attending their school.

Speaking at the reception, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “The Schools Poster Competition is held annually to find environmentally-themed posters to feature in the Council’s environmental calendar. The competition has been running since 2004 and each year the standard just gets higher and higher.

“We have had a fantastic response from primary and secondary schools across the district this year. The quality and creativity of the entries received was excellent, and the judging panel had a fun–but very difficult–job selecting this year’s winners.

“I would like to applaud all pupils on their achievement of being selected from so many entries. I hope your colourful posters, which cover topics such as litter, recycling, climate change, sustainable transport, energy, single use plastic and biodiversity, will be a constant reminder to everyone of the need to “protect and respect” our environment.”

Three hundred pupils, whose posters were shortlisted but did not make the final calendar, will also receive Highly Commended and Commended Certificates of Achievement as part of the competition.

All thirteen pupils receive a framed copy of their poster to keep as a memento along with their prize. The winners of the competition are:

Front Cover Lara Mackenzie

St Mary’s High School, Newry

January Rachel McGrath

St Mary’s Primary School, Barr

February Ciara Hoey

St Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen

March Isla Bell

Down High School, Downpatrick

April Sophia Daly

St Oliver’s Primary School, Carrickrovaddy

May Nathan Farrell