Double celebrations for Ballycumber school in national art competition
Two pupils from St Ciaran's Mixed National School, Ballycumber were recently presented with County Winner plaques at an awards ceremony for the 'Someone Like Me' national art competition.
Second Class pupil Caoimhe Mannion received the Junior Category County Winner’s plaque and Sixth Class pupil Faye Robinson was presented with the Senior Category County Winner’s plaque.
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Pictured from left to right are: Claudia Robinson (parent), Faye Robinson and Director of the National Disability Authority, Dr Aideen Hartney. Pic Finbarr O’Rourke. Photo by Picture: Finbarr O'RourkeImage 2 of 3
One of the county winners for St Ciaran's Mixed National School, Ballycumber in the 'Someone Like Me' national art competitionImage 3 of 3
Another county winner's entry for St Ciaran's Mixed National School, Ballycumber in the 'Someone Like Me' national art competitionCongratulating St. Ciaran's Mixed National School on being named double County Winners, Minister Anne Rabbitte said that the number of entries this year is a tribute to the commitment not just of the National Disability Authority, but also to Ireland’s primary school teachers, who continue to play an important part helping to create a more inclusive Ireland.
“I am hugely encouraged by the growing interest in the 'Someone Like Me' art competition. It shows a real commitment on the part of teachers and pupils to helping to develop a shared understanding of how we should treat others in a caring, sensitive and inclusive way, promoting a sense of belonging and connectedness.
Minister Rabbitte continued: “The standard of entries has been extremely high this year, presenting the judging panel with a real challenge as they worked their way through each and every submission. Selecting the county winners was not an easy task."
Now in its seventh year, the Someone Like Me art competition, which is organised by the National Disability Authority, attracted over 2,700 entries from national schools across the country.
The three-person judging panel comprising Caomhán Mac Con Ionmaire from the National Gallery of Ireland, Principal Ann Higgins from the Hospital School CHI at Temple Street and Niamh Fawl from the National Disability Authority was particularly impressed with the entries from St. Ciaran's Mixed National School, selecting them as County Winners based on their insightful and inspirational responses to the theme of ‘Someone Like Me.’
The competition was created as part of the National Disability Authority’s work to nurture more positive attitudes towards persons with disabilities and, to date, it has seen over 12,500 children take part in lesson plans and pupil activities designed to challenge young people to appreciate and respect similarities and differences in people.