Schools are hoping to clean up at awards

Time is running out if pupils want to enter this year’s SuperValu Best Kept School Awards and gain recognition for their environmental activities.
 
The closing date for the competition, organised by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council (NIAC) and sponsors SuperValu, is  March 2.
 
SuperValu joined forces with NIAC in 2004 to raise the profile of the Best Kept Awards and encourage participation among local schools.
 
Their marketing manager Briege McGinty said: “SuperValu has been a proud sponsor of the Best Kept School Awards for 8 years, with independent SuperValu retail partners throughout Northern Ireland supporting the awards, because they see this as an investment in the future of the environment and their local communities.”
 
Over 200 schools entered the awards in 2011 and St. Brigid’s Primary School, Mayogall, near Maghera, took the overall ‘Best of the Best’ title, after NIAC judges rated its environmental projects, including a tree planting scheme in partnership with the Woodland Trust, an anti-litter policy and a major recycling initiative, the Best in Northern Ireland.
 
Doreen Muskett MBE, Chairman of NIAC said; “It has long been said that the future of our environment is in the hands of today’s children. With that in mind the SuperValu Best Kept School Awards were established to get more young people interested in the environment, in the hope that this early enthusiasm would carry through to adulthood.”
 
The prize money for winning schools is £300 each, with runners up getting £120. The overall winning school receives an additional £200. As well as cash prizes all category winners receive a personalized sign and a perpetual trophy and runners up will be recognised with a certificate.
 
The SuperValu Best Kept School Awards will be judged during April and May and winning schools will be presented with their prizes in June. Entry forms are available from NIAC on 9040 3681 or go to www.niacbestkept.com for more information.