| Almost two hundred schools from across Northern Ireland entered the awards this year and NIAC judges have been scouring the country to find the tidiest and most environmentally active schools since March.
Dromore Nursery School was chosen to receive the overall ‘Best of the Best’ title out of a shortlist of fifteen schools – winners in small, medium and large categories in each education board area. The award was presented to the school at an event in Armagh recently, hosted by the Southern Education and Library Board.
NIAC Chairman Doreen Muskett praised the winning schools; “The standard of entries to the SuperValu Best Kept School Awards has been very high again this year and we would like to congratulate all of the schools that took part.
“One of the main aims of the Best Kept Awards is to encourage young people to develop an interest in their school surroundings and the environment as a whole. When judging the entries we look for evidence of pupil participation in environmental projects, and of course clean and tidy school grounds.
“ Dromore Nursery School shone in all of these areas . The staff have created school grounds which are both pleasing to the eye and used extensively to teach pupils about the environment.”
Dromore Nursery School has been awarded a monetary prize to help them with their environmental endeavours and all category winners receive a personalized sign, a perpetual crystal trophy and a cash award. Runners up are recognised with a special certificate and a monetary donation.
SuperValu Brand Manager, Jackie McCloskey added; “SuperValu is proud to support the Best Kept School Awards and we are pleased that so many schools take part. It is really impressive to see the hard work being put into the care of school grounds and the environment by teachers and pupils at schools across Northern Ireland .”
Principal of Dromore Nursery School , Sharon Beattie commented; “This award is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved with Dromore Nursery School and both I and my staff are delighted. The award recognises the efforts of many people who have actively advanced the school’s vision for an eco-friendly educational environment, in particular the parents who have supported the development of the school whole-heartedly. As the school grounds have evolved it has been a privilege to see the excitement of the children as they experience nature for themselves.”
Congratulating schools on their success, SELB Chief Executive Mrs McClenaghan said: “When the Chairperson and I visit schools we are delighted to see the dedication and creativity of the pupils in terms of designing and maintaining areas of special interest both in the buildings and out in the school grounds. We catch a real sense of excitement and pride as pupils point out their contribution to the school environment. The SuperValu Best Kept School Awards, through the competitive nature of the scheme, challenges the pupils to improve their previous best.”
Information about the Best Kept School Awards can be obtained from NIAC on 028 9040 3681 or visit www.niacbestkept.com
2006 Best Kept School Winners
Best of the Best – Dromore Nursery School
Board Area |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
BELB |
Fleming Fulton, Belfast |
Harberton Special School , Belfast |
Victoria College , Belfast |
WELB |
Lisnagelvin Nursery, L’Derry |
Lisbellaw PS, Fermanagh |
Limavady Grammar |
NEELB |
St. Mary’s PS, Rathlin Island |
St. Brigid’s PS, Magherafelt |
Antrim PS |
SEELB |
Ballycloughan PS, Saintfield |
All Children’s Integrated PS, Newcastle |
Bangor Central Integrated PS |
SELB |
Dromore Nursery School |
Ballyoran PS, Portadown |
Killicomaine Junior High, Portadown |
|
