Congratulations to all schools who participated in the Meath County Council Pride Of Place School Gardening Scheme in 2019.  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 2019 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 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. There was an increase in the numbers of preschools entries in the 2019 initiative, which 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.

There was huge interest in the HerbPatch project arranged with The Irish Register of Herbalists, with 15 schools selected at random to receive the HerbPatch.  The assessors were very impressed with how the schools had managed and developed their HerbPatch project in their school. 

Due to the success and demand of this initiative it will be available again in 2020.

Pride of Place School Gardening Awards 2019

Level 1

• Ard Rí Community N.S
• Carnuff Little Montessori
• Gaelscoil an Bhradáinh Feasa
• Gaelscoil Thulach Na Nóg
• Happy Kids Preschool
• Kilmessan Village Montessori
• Moynalvey National School
• Navan Educate Together N.S
• Rathregan NS
• Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh
• St. Ciaran's N.S
• St. Dympna's NS
• St. Patricks NS Baconstown
• The Montessori Story (Kells)
• The Montessori Story (Navan)

Level 2

• Carlanstown NS
• Dunboyne Junior Primary School
• Early Years Preschool
• Gaelscoil na Cille
• Gaelscoil Na Mí
• Manor Montessori
• Navan Educate Together Preschool
• Oakleaves Preschool, The Unity Centre, Navan
• Oakleaves Preschool, Scoil Naomh Eoin
• O'Growney NS
• Oristown NS
• Rathmore NS
• St. Andrew's NS
• The Caterpillar Academy of Montessori

Level 3

• Duleek Boys N.S
• Geraldine's Preschool
• Happy Days
• Jordan Pre-school
• Kentstown Montessori School
• Kilbeg NS
• Kilmainhamwood NS
• Phil's Montessori
• Playmates Preschool
• Scoil Cholmcille
• Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa, Kilcloon
• Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa, Bettystown
• St. Declan's NS
• St. Finian's NS, Killyon
• St. Joseph's NS
• St. Mary's PS Enfield
• St. Mary's Special School
• St. Michael's NS, Kill
• St. Patrick's NS Stackallen
• St. Seachnalls NS
• Yellow Furze NS

Level 4

• Culmullen NS
• Ratoath Junior National School
• Scoil Mhuire
• Scoil Mhuire Moylagh
• Scoil Naoimh Pio
• Scoil Ultain Naofa
• St Marys Primary School, Trim
• St. Brigid's NS

Level 5

• Bunscoil Buachaillí
• Carnaross NS
• Gaelscoil na Boinne
• Lismullen NS
• St. Patrick's NS

Registration is now open for the 2020 scheme.   This year there is a special focus on climate change, biodiversity and sustainability and the criteria for 2020 has been revised with this in mind.  There will also be prizes available for the best climate change and biodiversity actions/ projects.

Details of this year’s scheme are available on meath.ie.

Schools can choose the level they feel most appropriate for themselves. After registering, each school will receive a free welcome starter pack including posters, booklets and seeds, courtesy of Meath County Council.  

Closing date for the receipt of applications is Friday, February 7th, 2020