NI Water rewards local young environmentalists at virtual awards ceremony

21 June 2021 10:15

NI Water recently held their first virtual schools award ceremony celebrating the artistic talents of Key Stage 2 pupils from across the country. Finalists along with their classmates joined NI Water’s CEO Sara Venning and special guest, Department of Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon, rewarding them for their fantastic creations about saving water. 

Minister Mallon said: “I would like to congratulate all the entries to the NI Water ‘We use how much water?!’ schools poster competition. They were all excellent which I am sure made it a difficult task for the judges.

“The theme this year was particularly relevant as over lockdown our water use actually increased by 11 litres per person per day. Each person in Northern Ireland uses an average of 169 litres of water a day, much of which is wasted. Little changes such as turning off the tap when brushing your teeth or having a shower instead of a bath can all make a big difference to protect this vital resource for our children and our future.”

NI Water’s Outreach and Learning Officer Anna Killen comments, “NI Water’s Annual School Competition is now well established and ever growing in popularity. ‘We use how much water?!’ was this year’s theme, intended to showcase how much water we use every day and the importance of  the little things we can all do to save water at home, school and in the work place. 

“This competition was designed to provide a channel for Key Stage 2 pupils to use their creative talents and share with others the message that water is precious and is worth taking care of and to ensure that the message of saving water takes hold.

“Young people were challenged to design a poster to illustrate to others how much water we use each day, the importance of saving water and the need to look after it. Our judges had a difficult task in selecting the category finalists, as the standard of work was – as always – very high.  Thank you to everyone who took part, whether you submitted a poster, provided an idea or encouraged your school to join in.

ENDS

Photo: Phoebe Jackson a pupil at Rathmore PS, Bangor was awarded first place in NI Water’s ‘We use how much water?!’ annual schools poster competition.

The awards ceremony took place virtually on Tuesday 8^th June. Winners received a monetary donations for their school along with a certificate and water goody bag.

All media enquiries to NI Water Press Office email press.office@niwater.com

Notes to Editors:

Winners:

Primary 5 –

3^rd Prize – Lily McFerran, St Patrick’s PS, Rasharkin

2^nd Prize – Aoife Molloy, Glenann PS, Cushendal

1^st Prize – Mya Rose McKinney, Ballykelly PS, Ballykelly

Primary 6 -

3^rd Prize – Rose O’Kane, Templepatrick PS, Templepatrick

2^nd Prize – Eva Kennedy, Armagh CBS PS, Armagh

1^st Prize – Phoebe Jackson, Rathmore PS, Bangor

Primary 7 –

3^rd Prize – Packie Mackle, Dromintee PS, Killeavy

2^nd Prize – Brooke Donnelly, Moorfields PS, Ballymena

1^st Prize – Scarlett Morgan, Tonagh PS, Lisburn

Special Needs -

2^nd Prize- Lee Taylor, Rossmar School, Limavady

1^st Prize- Harry Weatherup, Beechlawn School, Hillsborough

• The NI Water schools’ art competition is open to all primary schools in Northern Ireland in the following category groups; Primary 5, Primary 6 Primary 7 and Special Needs  

• The prizes are monetary donations for schools: First prize £200, second prize £100 and third prize £50 in each category. All winning pupils also receive a goody bag and certificate.