Principal’s rallying call for help to win new playground

Nigel Arnold has entered Glengormley Integrated Primary School into the Wicksteed Playscapes competition on social networking site Facebook to win a brand new playground.

The winning school will receive a bespoke educational play space up to the value of £25,000.

However, to be in with a chance the local principal has called on the public to help get the school into the next stage of the competition.

Mr Arnold said: “How it works is simple. People have to accept the app on Facebook and then vote for the school of their choice - which hopefully will be ours. They can then very easily take the app off their Facebook if they want.

“The leading school at the moment has over 1,000 votes, so I think that is something we could manage to be in with a good chance to win. I have been asking everyone to get voting for us as it would really benefit out children.

“We have a large play area, with plenty of room for the children to run about in, which actually results in lots of bumps and bruises.

“So a dedicated play area, with the right equipment would help to reduce that space and provide a safer area for the kids to play.

“A good structured play area also really helps the children’s imagination and educational enjoyment and that totally works in with the school’s ethos.

“Plus the area is used by the entire community and as a developing school we believe we are an ideal candidate to win this nationwide competition.”

He went on: “When I came to the school six years ago the deficit then was the school’s ICT provision and through the support of the PTA and its fundraising we have rectified that.

“The PTA had actually identified the playground as an area they could fundraise for next and had started raising the money for it.

“So if we could win this competition then the money could go to another good cause within the school.”

The voting for the school is open until November 30 when the top schools will be shortlisted and then put before a judging panel.

To vote for the school search for ‘Wicksteed Playscapes Competition’ on Facebook and follow the instructions to accept the app, then search for the school to place your vote.