On the 30th September 2003, the Green Schools Committee went to
Modeligo to Waterford County Council’s First Primary School Environmental
Award Ceremony. After it had been announced that we had won the award for the
tidiest school in the east of Waterford it was decided that the Green School
Committee of Portlaw NS would accept the award. Mr. Curran, Mrs. Hally and our
secretary, Martina O’Donaghue accompanied us to Modeligo. When we arrived we
were all given a raffle ticket for a raffle draw later on in the ceremony.
Before we took our seats we went to the back of the hall and saw the winning
projects on display. When we sat down in our seats we heard a noise coming
behind of ‘Hey kids, have you heard? Recycling is the magic word! Do it often,
not just now and then. Recycling can be used again and again.’ The voice was
Krusty the Clown, the entertainer. He made us all balloons animals and shapes.
There were swords, dogs, flowers, hearts and hats. Mr. Curran was given a lovely
black balloon hat! Finally, the award ceremony began. First, there were speeches
from the Mayor and the Environmental Education Officer for Waterford,
Anne-Marie. The awards ceremony began!
First
there were Art prizes given out to the winners of the competition. The winners
of the competitions in Art came from Rathgormack, Bunscoil Gleann Sidheáin and
Coolnasmear.
Next,
were the poetry competitions with wins coming from Whitechurch (who won twice)
and Modeligo.
The
third competition was about making a creation from waste. This year you were
given the theme of hats. The winners came from Whitechurch (they won twice) and
Lismór Mochuda. Our favourite was a bowler hat made from eggcups sprayed gold.
It came third. Fenor won the composting competition project.
Then
the tidiest school awards were given out. The tidiest school in the west of
Waterford was Aglish. And then it was time for the final award. We were last,
but definitely not least.
The
Tidiest School in the East of Waterford! Portlaw
N.S.!
To represent the school, the representatives from Sixth Class in the committee (Kate Henebry, Amy Coe, Richard Fitzpatrick and Dominic Kelly) went on stage to receive the award. Kate claimed the award in representation of Portlaw N.S. We then had our photo taken with the Mayor of County Waterford. Then the raffle began. And Waterford’s very own Elaine Power (Cabin Fever 2003’s winner) was drawing out the tickets. She’s Portlaw’s new best friend as she drew one of our pupils’ tickets. Then it was time for light refreshments. There were crisps, chocolate bars and fizzy drinks, and sandwiches for the elders. We all made sure we had Elaine’s autograph. Krusty then put on a magic show.
Then, unfortunately it was time to go back to school. Luckily, Mr. Curran saved the day by having the idea to visit the Kilmacthomas Poorhouses, so that the day would be educational. We found out that the poorhouses were being renovated into an enterprise center. It was very interesting to see. We saw where the dead bodies were laid. There was also a door in the middle of a building, two stories up. When we finally went in the building we saw a computer suite. The walls of the Workhouse were very thick. We had our photo taken and went back to school.
When
we arrived back at school we processed around every classroom showing off our
newfound award.
We
had a brilliant day!
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| Entertainment before the awards | Sword fighters | "Where did they get those hats?" | Co. Mayor announces the winner | Tidiest School |
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| Accepting the prize | The Committee and the mayor | Cabin Fever winner meets Kim | "The Rappers" | |
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| Julie lends a hand! | Final visit...the workhouse!. | Only work done
today!! Kilmac workhouse |
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