Schools to be focus of Mickey’s council awards

Schools to be focus of Mickey’s council awards

LOCAL primary schools will be firmly in the spotlight at this year’s Down Council Chairman’s Awards.

The local authority is seeking to honour the hard work and success of schools across the district with chairman Mickey Coogan explaining the awards seek to recognise the achievements of children and the people in primary schools who dedicate their lives to education.

Launching the annual awards, he said he is looking forward to honouring the hard work and success taking place in school classrooms across the district.

“The chairman’s awards give us all an opportunity to recognise, share and celebrate the fantastic work that is going on in schools across our primary education sector,” said Councillor Coogan.

“I hope schools, parents, pupils and teachers will be inspired to think about all of the great things that they are doing that could be shared with others through these awards.”

Councillor Coogan said endeavour and innovation is notable in many school communities across the district, explaining this is demonstrated by the high level of creative projects that are undertaken as part of the curriculum by teachers and pupils.

He said the recently published socio-economic profile of the district reported that the area has a more highly educated workforce and a lower share of adults without qualifications.

“We are all very proud of the results that many of our schools achieve and I’m delighted Down Council is playing a key role in promoting the hard work and successes of our local primary sector” said the chairman. “I would urge people to nominate their education stars for an accolade at this year’s chairman’s awards.”

Mr. Nicholas McCrickard, manager of Co. Down Rural Community Network, has been appointed to the judging panel. For many years he has worked with young people from across a wide spectrum and is delighted to be involved in an awards scheme which will recognise innovation, achievement and success in local primary schools.

“The awards will also celebrate the contribution of individuals who go the extra mile in dedicating their lives to the education of our young people,” he added.

The awards are split into five categories which include an active award, cultural awareness award, enterprise and employability across learning, learning through technology and sustainable schools.

Nominations must be received by noon on Wednesday, April 17, with forms available to be downloaded from Down Council’s website www.downdc.gov.uk or by telephoning (028) 4461 0854.