Art awards for Clough’ schools
Presentations at Dublin City Hall
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Pictured above, Fourth Class pupil Annie Davis from Cloughjordan National School was presented with a Senior Category County Winner’s plaque for her entry in the ‘Someone Like Me’ art competition. Pictured, left to right, are Carol Davis, Annie Davis and Director of the National Disability Authority, Dr Aideen Hartney. Photos: Finbarr O’Rourke Picture: Finbarr O'RourkeImage 2 of 2
Junior winner was St Michael’s NS. Second class teacher Antoinette Moroney was presented with a Junior Category County Winner’s plaque from Director of the National Disability Authority, Dr Aideen Hartney, for her pupils’ whole class entry in the ‘Someone Like Me’ art competition. Picture: Finbarr O'RourkeSt Michael's National School, Cloughjordan and Cloughjordan National School received their awards after being named Junior and Senior County Winners respectively of the prestigious national art competition, Someone Like Me, at the national awards ceremony to be held at Dublin City Hall recently. The presentation was made at the first in-person national final to take place for two years, which saw representatives from 50 primary schools across the country gather at Dublin City Hall. The fully accessible event was also livestreamed on the Someone Like Me website so classmates, family members and friends could join in remotely. The competition, which is supported by the National Disability Authority, attracted over 2,700 entries from primary school pupils and their teachers right across Ireland – almost 1,000 more than last year- bringing the total number of children who have taken part over the last seven years to almost 15,000. The prestigious competition which is now in its seventh year is a national celebration of the things that unite children of all abilities, helping to nurture more positive attitudes towards persons with disabilities. 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 Michael's National School and Cloughjordan National School, selecting them as County Winners based on their insightful and inspirational responses to the theme of ‘Someone Like Me’.
Congratulating St Michael's National School and Cloughjordan National School on being named County Winners, Minister of State with special responsibility for disability, Anne Rabbittesaid 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,” she said.