Local Schools Come Together to Speak About the Environment
March 21, 2017
Pupils from across the Council area participated in the 2017 Environmental Youth Speak competition at Lagan Valley Island hosted by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council.
This annual event saw 35 students from twenty one primary and post-primary schools confidently display their public speaking skills in front of a judging panel of Council representatives.
The aim of the competition, organised by the Council’s Waste Management Section, is to encourage environmental awareness among young people by providing them with an opportunity to research and debate environmental issues. The event was categorised into a Junior Section (P6 and P7 pupils) and Senior Section (Year 8 to Year 10 pupils), with this year’s themes being: ‘From Land to Landfill - How can we STOP Food Waste?’ and ‘Don’t Bin it, Bring it!
Taking the Winners’ Cups back to their respective schools were Olivia Knight from St Joseph’s Primary School, Carryduff in the Junior Section and Sophie Browne and Kirsten Beattie of Lagan College in the Senior Section.
In second place were April Brady and Maeve Millar from Rowandale Integrated Primary School (Junior Section) and Emily Willis from Laurelhill Community College (Senior Section). The third place winners were Daniel Allen and Josh Cimic from Dundonald Primary School (Junior Section) and Rachel Snape and Lynne Orr from Lisnagarvey High School (Senior Section).
Councillor James Baird, Chairman of the Council’s Environmental Services Committee, speaking about the event, said: “I was delighted to be part of the judging panel at this year’s Environmental Youth Speak competition and hear first-hand the quality of presentations created by our young residents. This competition has grown annually with our young people always delivering excellent presentations on the nominated recycling topics.
“Protecting the environment is an important role for everyone and it is encouraging to hear the pupils talk so passionately about waste reduction and recycling. I hope their speeches influence fellow classmates, friends and family to reduce, reuse and recycle in the years ahead.
“I was particularly impressed with the high level of competence displayed and it was very clear that a great deal of preparation went into each presentation. The panel had a particularly difficult time judging the two categories due to the high level of public speaking displayed in this ‘too close to call’ competition. Public speaking is not an easy task and nerves can often creep in, but I must say everyone did a fantastic job; and I have no doubt that your parents and teachers are extremely proud of your achievements.”
All the participants at the Lisburn Castlereagh event received a certificate and a reusable shopping bag made from recycled material and a food scoop to reduce food waste with Councillor Baird announcing the winners.
The Environmental Youth Speak competition enables the Council to encourage and develop communication skills and self-confidence of young people and help raise awareness of environmental sustainability within the classroom.
If you would like more information on how schools can take part in the 2018 Environmental Youth Speak competition or to book a visit to your school by the Waste Education Officer, please contact the Council’s Waste Management Section on 028 9250 9453 or email: wasteeducation@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk