Creative pupils win awards

PUPILS at two Northside schools were celebrating recently after winning awards in a national art competition that aims to promote disability awareness. 

‘Someone Like Me’ promotes inclusion and positive attitudes towards all persons, allowing children to learn about and discuss these topics and creatively express what they have learned through art and craft.

Pupils at Holywell Educate Together National School, Swords, and St Peter's National School, Phibsborough, were named as County winners in the Junior and Senior category respectively. 

The entry from Holywell ETNS was from 1st class pupil Erika Dolobanko, who used crayons for her drawing. 

The piece is segmented into four sections which show different scenes with children of varying abilities playing and enjoying each other’s company. Teacher Stuart Purcell guided the school’s submission.

The entry from St Peter's NS was from 5th class pupil Alysah Cabrera. The piece depicted a group of boys and girls ripping up labels attributed to them. The labels identified the type of disability that the characters had (sensory, mental, permanent/temporary). The action of shredding the labels portrays that a disability doesn’t define a person.

Minister of State with special responsibility for Disabilities, Finian McGrath, congratulated the Northside pupils .

“I am delighted to say that this year we received almost 2,400 entries for this wonderful competition, which highlights the passion and continued enthusiasm that teachers and pupils alike have toward this initiative,” he said.

“More than 600,000 people in Ireland have a disability, and children under 15 make up 53,000 of that figure.”