Two Laois primary schools in the frame for national titles

TWO primary schools in Laois have been named as Junior and Senior County winners of the prestigious national art competition, ‘Someone Like Me.’ 

 Castlecuffe National School won the county junior title while Newtown National School was named as the county senior title winner in the annual art competition.

Their achievements secures both of them a place at the national awards ceremony which are to be held at Dublin City Hall on Tuesday 28 January where they will join 50 other schools to compete for the much sought-after national senior and junior titles.

Now in its ninth year, the art competition, which is organised by the National Disability Authority, attracted 2,783 entries from national schools across the length and breadth of the country.

Congratulating Castlecuffe and Newtown National Schools on being named County winners the Director of the National Disability Authority Dr. Aideen Hartney said that the number of entries this year is a tribute to the commitment of Ireland’s primary school teachers, who continue to play an important part helping to create an ever-more inclusive Ireland.

She said: “This year’s competition is set against the backdrop of a new Autism Innovation Strategy and work ongoing to develop a new National Disability Strategy. These provide the building blocks for a more inclusive society, where disabled people have equality of opportunity when it comes to participating in cultural, social and economic life and where positive attitudes prevail.

“Selecting the county winners was not an easy task for the judges and choosing an overall senior and junior winner will be an even harder job. And, while I know it will be an anxious wait for the pupils and teachers to hear which of the 52 county winners will be awarded the national titles, every pupil should be congratulated for their entries and for coming up with ways to include all people within society.” The competition, which offers a range of prizes, including €500 each for the senior and junior winning schools, was open to all primary school pupils from junior infants to sixth class and more. Entries ranged from posters and collages to large sculptural installations and videos.