NI Water annual schools competition winners announced

28 May 2014 9:20

‘Stop Internal Flooding’ was the important message handed out, alongside prizes, at the awards ceremony for NI Water’s seventh annual Schools Competition.

Once again, there was a fantastic response from Key Stage 2 pupils right across Northern Ireland, who got to work designing promotional posters on the theme ‘Stop Internal Flooding’. This was to raise awareness of the dangers of flushing inappropriate items down the toilet or pouring cooking fat down the sink.

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy said: ‘‘My Department was very happy to be involved with NI Water in this year’s competition, and I was particularly pleased to present the awards.

‘‘The very positive response to the competition is a clear indication of the level of interest in and awareness of internal flooding, and it’s also testament to the understanding so many young people obviously have of this issue.

‘‘In addition to designing a poster, each entrant was required to answer five multiple-choice questions on water related issues. These responses will be used to help inform government policy for the Long-Term Water Strategy.

‘‘The winning posters will also be used to illustrate the effects of flushing inappropriate items down the toilet or blocking drains within the Strategy document.’’

Jane Jackson, Education Manager at NI Water, said: ‘‘We have been delighted with the response rate from schools and very impressed with the standard of artistic work and imagination on offer from so many school age children.

‘‘Each year, homes are damaged as a result of inappropriate items being flushed down the toilet or washed down the sink and it is something that is easily preventable. Simply flushing toilet roll and nothing else will ensure your home stays blockage free. Likewise, fat, oil and grease should never be poured down the sink.

‘‘NI Water is pleased to have worked alongside various other partner organisations, including the Department for Regional Development, Consumer Council, Marine Conservation Society and Tidy NI, in delivering this successful competition and we’re already looking forward to next year!

‘‘I’d like to congratulate all our very worthy winners for their excellent designs.’’

The awards ceremony took place at the NI Water Wastewater Heritage Centre in Belfast.



Prize Winners were as follows:

Primary Five –
i) Francis O’Connell – St. Columba’s PS, Kilrea
ii) Grace McAufield, St. Patrick’s PS, Portaferry
iii) Caoimhe O’Kane, St. Anne’s PS, Derry

Primary Six –
i) Cliodhna Campbell, St. Colman’s Bann PS, Laurencetown
ii) Niamh Martin, St. Trea’s PS, Magherafelt
iii) Hannah Crawford, Tildarg PS, Ballyclare

Primary Seven –
i) Ellie-Rose Cassidy – St. Trea’s PS, Magherafelt
ii) Aislinn McSherry – Bunscoil Phobal Feirste, Belfast
iii) Lauren Spiers, Drumadonnell PS, Banbridge

Special Needs –
i) Emma McDaid – St. Anne’s PS, Derry
ii) Ellen Brady, Rathore School, Newry