Mayo students scoop prize in national competition
Students from Scoil Iosa in Ballyhaunis with their teacher Michelle Flatley.
A school in Mayo has scooped a prize in this year's Woodie's Budding Gardeners competition.
Ms Michelle Flatley and students from 3rd and 4th class who are part of the school’s nurture group in Scoil Iosa, Ballyhaunis, were announced as runners-up in this year’s Woodie’s Budding Gardeners competition, taking home a €250 Woodie's gift card.
Now in its fourth year, the Woodie’s Budding Gardeners campaign encourages children across Ireland to flex their green fingers by taking on an exciting garden project at home or in school while learning about the importance of plants along the way.
This year saw a record number of entrants to the competition with families and schools across Ireland taking part in the campaign and the overall winners were the Brennan family from Co Louth, who scooped the top prize of €1,000. This year's theme was 'The Power of Plants' and children were tasked to Plant A Patch of their choice between the months of March and May. Woodie's garden expert and judge Brian Burke was impressed with this year’s entries, saying:
"Of all the jobs I did this year, there was none tougher than judging the Woodie’s Budding Gardeners competition. The innovation, creativity, and imagination on display from Ireland’s young gardeners is phenomenal, and the level of work and attention to detail is so impressive. It was clear these young Budding Gardeners had lots of fun along the way and that’s really what it’s all about; cultivating a passion for gardening and plants while learning about the importance of biodiversity to support our planet."
"This year’s theme was Plant A Patch, and there were loads of different ideas from every corner of Ireland with creative thinking on how to fully utilize all sorts of spaces at home and school, big and small. Some entrants went for flower or wild patches and others went for edibles like fruit, veggies and herbs - it was amazing to see what could be accomplished during the allotted time. Like every year, it was extremely tough picking the winners. Huge congratulations to everyone who took part, amazing work, and we hope to see you back next year."
