Congratulations to all schools who participated in the Meath County Council Pride Of Place School Gardening Scheme in 2018. Over 2,000 children participated in the only scheme of its kind in the country. The scheme provides an opportunity for preschools and schools to take teaching and learning outdoors in a meaningful way with activities and tasks at one of five assessment levels.
The pupils were assessed in May and June of 2018 by Philip Mc Cormack from Batterstown and Niamh Bean Uí Loinsigh from Julianstown, on behalf of Meath County Council. The assessment was the finish line for pupils after a year of work outdoors in school spaces and gardens.
The cornerstone of the scheme is that the garden presentation has to be carried out by pupils alone. Both assessors were highly impressed by the level of interest and knowledge throughout the county, especially those on the new Level 5 which requires participation by every pupil in the school, the cooking and eating of new produce and the hosting of an open day for the community. The increase in participation of preschools added hugely to the project this year.
The scheme has proved a great success in getting pupils to reconnect with nature, earth themselves, learn how to work as part of a team, identify the changing seasons, grow their own produce and develop an emotional connection with where food comes from, ticking many boxes on the school curriculum in the process. This has become even more relevant with increasing discussion and debate about climate change.
Registration is now open for the 2019 scheme.
Details at http://www.meath.ie/Community/PrideofPlace/PrideofPlaceSchoolsGardeningScheme/. Schools can choose the level they feel most appropriate for themselves. After registering, each school received a free welcome starter pack, including posters, booklets and seeds, courtesy of Meath County Council.
Pride of Place School Gardening Awards 2018
Level 1
- St. Andrew's N.S., Curragha
- Kilmainhamwood N.S.
- St. Patrick's N.S., Castletown
- The Caterpillar Academy of Montessori, Oldcastle
- The Montessori Story, Kells
- The Montessori Story, Navan
- Happy Kids Preschool, Navan
- Kilmessan Village Montessori
- Happy Days, Rathmoylon
- Early Years Preschool, Kells
Level 2
- Gaelscoil na Mí, Cill Dhéagláin
- St. Declan's N.S., Ashbourne
- Kentstown N.S.
- Kilskyre N.S.
- Rathmore N.S.
- Scoil Mhuire, Heronstown
- Scoil Naomh Barra, Wilkinstown
- St. Brigid's N.S., Meath Hill
- St. Mary's Special School, Navan
- Bohermeen N.S.
- Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa, Kilcloon
- St. Seachnall's N.S., Dunshaughlin
- Kilbride N.S., Trim
- St. Michael's N.S., Kill
- Jordan Preschool, Castlejordan
- Geraldine's Preschool, Kildalkey
- Navan Educate Together Preschool
- Oakleaves Preschool Navan (Scoil Naomh Eoin)
- Oakleaves Preschool Navan (Utility Care)
- Phil's Montessori, Kilcock
Level 3
- Ballinlough N.S.
- Carlanstown N.S.
- Kilbeg N.S.
- Our Lady of Mercy N.S., Kells
- Scoil Naomh Pio, Knockcommon
- Whitecross N.S., Julianstown
- Scoil Mhuire, Navan
- Scoil Mhuire, Robinstown
- St. Anne's Loreto P.S., Navan
- St. Oliver Plunkett's N.S., Navan
- Culmullen N.S.
- Ratoath Junior N.S.
- Scoil Naomh Bríde, Boardsmill
- St. Mary's Primary School, Trim
- St. Mary's Primary School, Enfield
- Playmates Preschool, Kentstown
Level 4
- Kilmessan N.S.
- Moylough N.S.
- St. Brigid's N.S., Cortown
- St. Louis N.S., Rathkenny
- St. Patrick's N.S., Stackallen
- Yellow Furze N.S., Beauparc
- Kenstown Montessori School
Level 5
- Carnaross N.S.
- St. Patrick's N.S., Slane
- Dunboyne Senior Primary School
- Lismullen N.S.
- St. Fiach's N.S., Ballinacree
- Gaelscoil na Bóinne, An Troim
