Time’s running out for entry to Best Kept Awards

SCHOOLS across Northern Ireland that plan to enter the Best Kept Awards had better hurry, as registration to the 2014 competition in the schools category closes on March 7.

The Northern Ireland Amenity Council, the body that runs the awards, welcome entries in three categories for schools.

These are; Pre Primary (3-5 years old), Primary (5-11 years old) and Post Primary (11-18 years old).

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Chair of the Amenity Council, Doreen Muskett MBE said: “It’s a great honour for a school to be named Northern Ireland’s ‘Best Kept’. It demonstrates the school’s commitment to their surroundings and the passion it has for instilling the importance of environmental responsibility in children from a young age.

“We’re looking for schools that are clean and tidy, with an absence of litter and graffiti, and for evidence of a sustained environmental project. If that sounds like your school, you still have a few days to enter via our website. Judging will then be carried out during the months of April and May.”

The school that won the 2013 Best Kept Primary award was St Joseph’s Primary School in Carryduff.

Patricia Downard, a teacher at the school commented: “We are extremely proud to have won the title of Northern Ireland’s Best Kept School, especially as we hadn’t entered the scheme before.

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“Everyone at St. Joseph’s gets involved in creating our school environment, and although it involves a lot of hard work we believe it helps our pupils learn valuable lessons about their surroundings and of course they have great fun enjoying the spaces, plants and wildlife. We look forward to many happy years educating and inspiring generations of children through activity-based learning in our outdoor classroom.”

The closing dates for entries are as follows: Schools- March 7, Housing areas, towns and villages April 26

Healthcare facilities – May 23

Winners will be awarded attractive signage, trophies and a monetary gift.

For more information or to enter please visit www.niacbestkept.com or call the Northern Ireland Amenity Council on 028 9040 3681.