A huge congratulations to our Year Seven pupils who have won the Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful Hedgerow Heroes Competition. Pupils had to write a poem about the environmental benefits of hedgerows and draw a sketch of the school grounds, showing how they use their grounds to support biodiversity, as part of the application process. The winning poem was composed by Elizabeth Mellon and the winning sketches were created by Cassie McKenna and Elizabeth Mellon.
As a result of winning the competition, our school will be supported in the planting of a native hedgerow and we will receive 3 fun and interactive environmental education workshop visits delivered by KNIB staff on the topics below or similar:
- Session 1 - Selecting where to plant our hedge and Workshop on Tree ID (Oct 2025 - Nov 2025).
- Session 2 - Hedgerow planting session (Dec 2025 - Feb 2026).
- Session 3 - Citizen Science Session with Workshop on Bird ID or similar (Mar - Apr 2026).
Our school will also receive:
- Educational hedgerow-themed signage as part of the project to complement our new hedgerow.
- A guidance document on looking after our hedgerow.
- One follow-up visit in Year 2 of the programme to provide ongoing advice and support on management and maintenance of our hedgerow.
Well done, Year Seven!
Please see Elizabeth's Poem and photos of Cassie's and Elizabeth's drawings.
Hedgerows growing along the side,
Encouraging animals to live inside.
Diversity all around,
Gorgeous birds making quite the sound.
Elegant flowers in the hedgerows,
Really pretty, just like a rose.
On the branches, wild berries grow,
When the wind blows, luckily the birds have somewhere to go.
Sustaining ecosystems above and below.
Elizabeth Mellon (Year 7 pupil and Secretary of the Eco Committee)
