Two Mayo schools celebrate art competition glory
Pupils in Irishtown N.S., Claremorris, and Robeen Central N.S., Hollymount, are this week celebrating as the judges of a leading national art competition have named them county winners in the junior and senior category, respectively, placing them in the running for what has become a much sought-after national title.
The competition, which is entitled ‘Someone Like Me’, is supported by the National Disability Authority.
It aims to promote disability awareness and nurture understanding amongst primary school students and to highlight the similarities that exist within people of all abilities.
Now an annual initiative, ‘Someone Like Me’ promotes inclusion and positive attitudes towards all persons, allowing children to learn about and discuss these topics and creatively express what they have learned through art and craft.
* The entry from Irishtown N.S. named as Junior County Winner, was from pupil Lucy McDermott, 2nd class, whose collage depicted a pupil helping a girl on crutches, a boy with a wooden leg swimming for exercise; and a girl in a wheelchair.
The artwork demonstrated that people with disabilities are the same as everyone else. Teacher Clare Morley assisted in the school’s submission.
* The entry from Robeen Central N.S named as Senior County Winner, was from pupil Sarah Walsh, 6th class whose poster depicted people in a park who wanted to raise awareness of and help people with disabilities. Teacher Edel Canny assisted in the school’s submission
The judges, Caomhán Mac Con Iomaire, Mark Maguire and Ellen Keane, were greatly impressed with the artistic efforts of pupils and teachers at the two schools for their imaginative ‘Someone Like Me’ submissions which were selected for being exceptionally insightful and inspirational.
Congratulating the Mayo pupils on becoming county winners, Minister of State with special responsibility for Disabilities, Finian McGrath, said that he was hugely encouraged by the number of competition entries.
“I am delighted to say that this year we received almost 2,400 entries for this wonderful competition, which highlights the passion and continued enthusiasm that teachers and pupils alike have toward this initiative,” he said.
“More than 600,000 people in Ireland have a disability, and children under 15 make up 53,000 of that figure. The National Disability Authority strive to promote inclusiveness in all of the work they carry out, and the fact that an entry was received from every county in Ireland highlights that by providing a creative outlet in which we can build understanding and awareness of our different abilities, we can truly discover the similarities that unite us all.”
“For the teachers and pupils who have all contributed to this competition, I express our gratitude to you and point out that by taking the time to think and create an entry that your own knowledge and understanding of disability will have evolved. Education is integral to improving positive attitudes and inclusiveness for all members of society.”