Children welcome world into classes

ELEVEN primary schools who invited the world into their classrooms have been named as finalists in the Irish Aid ‘Our World’ awards sponsored by the Irish Examiner.

The competition encourages children to learn about the Millennium Development Goals and what they and their communities can do to help the goals be achieved.

Pupils tackled issues from climate change to gender equality and fair trade for projects that ranged from the artistically spectacular to the highly practical in entries that saw standards higher than ever.

Especially notable this year was the lengths pupils went to to spread the word about their work beyond their immediate classmates with many groups staging events for their schools and communities, writing blogs, surveying the public and participating in radio interviews.

More than 700 primary schools registered to enter the competition — a record level of interest — and although many were caught out by closures due to the snow as the deadline approached, more than 1,200 completed projects were received.

The entries were whittled down to the final 11 this week and all the classes involved will be invited with their teachers to attend the awards ceremony and announcement of the overall winner at a ceremony in Dublin Castle on February 17.

The 11 finalists are: 5th class and language support class, St Mary’s BNS, Drogheda, Co Louth; 3rd to 6th class, St Colman’s NS, Conahy, Co Kilkenny; 5th class, St Ciaran’s NS, Hartstown, Dublin 15; 6th class, St Mary’s BNS, Monaghan town; 3rd to 6th class, Ballybay Central School, Ballybay, Co Monaghan; 5th class, Kildangan NS, Kildangan, Co Kildare; 5th class, Scoil Cholmcille, Ballybrack, Co Dublin; 5th class, Ennis Educate Together NS, Ennis, Co Clare; 5th and 6th class, Convent Primary School, Moate, Co Westmeath; 6th class, St Eunan’s NS, Raphoe, Co Donegal; 5th class, Clonburris NS, Clondalkin, Dublin.