PUPILS at a Northside school are celebrating after being crowned champions for growing their own food in the classroom.
Ms O’Connell’s class at St Brendan’s Boys’ National School in Artane, won the (Grow It Yourself) GIY and innocent drinks ‘Big Grow’ competition.
The seventh annual Big Grow initiative saw 43,000 children from schools nationwide take part.
The pupils, who range from second to sixth class, attended the Bloom festival and met President Michael D Higgins. They were presented with a ‘Big Grow’ certificate, a trip to Dublin Zoo, €500 worth of gardening equipment and one-year growing support from GIY.
Ms O’Connell said her pupils worked incredibly hard on their project.
“Initially my students had no knowledge or interest in gardening and growing food, that all changed pretty quickly through the Big Grow project,” she said.
“Initially, they didn't actually realise that they could eat the things they grew at first, they had assumed that their vegetables came in a packet from the supermarket so it was a huge revelation to them and they were delighted to grow and eat their own food.
“The very first time that they grew cress and ate cress sandwiches – they were immediately hooked on growing and wanted to know what else they could grow and eat.
“They are hugely enthusiastic and we have even moved outside to raised beds, where they have planted beetroot, spinach, kale, pumpkin and squash and tomatoes and they were also fascinated by learning about bee and butterfly pollination so we have also planted some flowers to assist with pollination.”
GIY founder Michael Kelly said the pupils really took to their challenge from the outset and integrated the tasks into their classwork, offering them skills that will stay with them for life.
“We very much believe that children who learn how to grow their own food are much more likely to enjoy eating the fruits and veg of their own labour and to also continue with these healthy eating habits for life,” said Mr Kelly.