The competition open to children aged between four and ten years challenged them to create a picture, model or poem to illustrate why drinking water is good for our health. The winning entries focused on the fact that drinking water can help improve fitness levels, memory and concentration and also lead to healthy skin.
Nineteen children from across the North collected their finalist certificates from Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy and NI Water’s Acting Chief Executive Chris Mellor.
Speaking at the event, The Minister said:
“Healthy drinking patterns are established in early childhood and we are lucky to have quality drinking water throughout the North which all generations can enjoy. This competition was designed to inform young people about the importance of good hydration at an early age – for their benefit both now and in the future."
“The children certainly rose to the challenge and have produced some excellent pieces of artwork and poetry. I congratulate all our finalists and our eight winners on their creative and innovative entries.”
NI Water Acting Chief Executive, Chris Mellor commented:
“It is refreshing to see children taking such an interest in water and its many health benefits. NI Water supplies 625million litres of drinking water a day and works hard to ensure that the water is of the highest standard by investing over £1million a day in our services."
“Judging by the quality of these entries these pupils have a firm understanding of the direct links between water and health. Clearly they are benefiting from drinking eight glasses of water per day which is known to help improve performance and concentration in the classroom. I hope they will continue to convey the message that water is vital for good health and share this with their friends and classmates. ”
There were eight winners – Colm Meagher from Windsor Hill Primary; Amy Harmson from Carrickmannon PS; Charlie Gibson from Newtownbreda PS; Gary Mallet from Glendermott PS; Joel Anderson from Cookstown PS, Dean McGowan from Belmont House; Ryan Bradley from St Anne’s PS, Derry; and finally P4 from Windsor Hill PS which was the winning class in the model competition.
The competition prizes include cash donations for winning schools in each category as well as individual prizes (book and art tokens) for each child.
A commemorative calendar, featuring the short listed competition entries, will be produced later this year for distribution to schools.
Notes to Editors:
- This is the first year the “Water for Health” competition has ran, with a response of 2,500 entries.
- The competition was organised to teach children the importance of good hydration at an early age and to also encourage them to use their creative skills in making the posters and models.
- For media enquiries, please contact DRD Press Office DRD on 02890 540887 or NI Water Press Office on 028 9357695 or 028 9035 4710 or email press.office@niwater.com
- Details of the winners:
In Art: Key Stage 1 category:
- 1st place Colm Meagher P4: Windsor Hill Primary School
- 2nd place Jade McMullan P2: Kesh Primary School
- 3rd place Clara Devine P4: St Patrick’s Primary school, Dunamanagh.
In Art: Key Stage 2 category:
- 1st place 1st place Amy Harmson P7: Carrickmannon Primary School
- 2nd place Eoghan Quinn P5: St Patrick’s Primary School, Dunamanagh
- 3rd place Lucy Quinn P6: Cloughoge Primary School, Newry
In Art: Key Stage 2, special needs:
- Joint 1st place Dean McGowan P6: Belmont House and
- Ryan Bradley P5: St Anne’s Primary School, Derry.
In Poetry: Key Stage 1 category:
- 1st place Charlie Gibson P4: Newtownbreda Primary School.
- 2nd place Katie Noble P4: Kesh Primary School
- 3rd place Serena Smart P1: Newtownbreda Primary School.
In Poetry: Key Stage 2 category:
- 1st place Gary Mallet P7: Glendermott Primary School.
- 2nd place Emma McClintoch: Diamond PS Cullybackey
- 3rd place Holly McClenaghan: Carrickmannon Primary School
In Model: Key Stage 1 category:
- 1st place P4’s Windsor Hill Primary School
- 2nd place P1’s Faughanvale Primary School
- 3rd place Scott Smart Newtownbreda Primary School
In Model: Key Stage 2:
- 1st place Joel Anderson P6: Cookstown Primary School
- 2nd place Hali Sharpe P5: Newtownbreda Primary School
