18 October 2006
THIRTEEN SCHOOLS WIN STEP IN TIME 2006 AWARDS
The Environment & Heritage Service (EHS) announced the winners of the Step In Time 2006 Awards at Carrickfergus Castle today.
Over 100 guests had the opportunity to celebrate the pupils' artistic and literary endeavours in the historic solar room of the 12th century Castle Keep.
The Step In Time Competition is aimed at enhancing the pupils' understanding of History through other academic subjects. Entries were invited from students in Design & Technology, English, Art and History departments, who had visited Carrickfergus Castle.
Open to all schools in Northern Ireland, the Competition targets two age groups: under 10 and 10 - 13. Anne Hayes, EHS Education Officer explains:
"This is the third year we have run this competition for schools. The idea is to build on a day trip to the Castle in order to promote an appreciation of a major Historic Monument and to stimulate the children's interest and understanding of their historical environment."
Entries were received from a total of 273 groups and individuals, from 13 schools, from all over Northern Ireland. This was not only a numerical increase on last year's competition, but an improved standard of entry as well. The judges had difficulty in many categories agreeing the winners!
Richard Rogers, Chief Executive of the EHS presented awards to over 70 individual pupils, 9 groups projects and 4 School Prize overall winners. Thirteen schools were successful : Aquinas Grammar Belfast, Banbridge High, Campbell College Belfast, Grange Park Primary Bangor, Greenisland Primary, Holy Trinity College Cookstown, Larne High, St Colm's High Draperstown, St Joseph's Primary Belfast, St Mary's Grammar Magherafelt, St Mary's High Belleek, Strandtown Primary Belfast and Victoria Primary Carrickfergus.
The initiative forms an important part of EHS's Education Programmes which were delivered to 11,000 school children last year at the Castle. Janis Smith, the Castle Manager said, "Carrickfergus is one of the most impressive monuments on this island, and we wanted children to gain more from their visit than simply a guided tour," This competition means that they are thinking about the Castle long after their visit."
A display of all the art work and all the winning written entries is on view in the Keep of Carrickfergus Castle until December. EHS has produced a booklet of all the entries for the schools to keep which is available from Carrickfergus Castle.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Awards ceremony in Carrickfergus Castle Centre on Wednesday 18 October commencing 2:00pm.
2. Two age groups (under 10 and 10-13) entered in four categories: Art, Models, Poetry and Short Story.
3. This annual competition began in 1997/98 and details of next year's competition will be sent out to schools in January 2007.
4. Further media enquiries contact DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003
Click here to print this press release.
