By Dan Walsh
Wexford County Council’s 2024 Christmas Decoration Competition winners were announced at a special ceremony in County Hall, Wexford, recently, where Cathaoirleach of Wexford Country Council, Cllr Pip Breen was on hand to present the awards and congratulate the many prize-winners.
Cllr Breen said; “The Christmas Decoration Competition for schools has been an annual tradition in Wexford since 2004. Each year the decorations get more innovative and creative and show how items that normally end up as waste can be given new life through reuse.
“Those who have participated in this competition have shown us all how to reduce waste by making unusual Christmas decorations from everyday household waste materials. Reusing our items is a positive climate action that we can all do simply. The decorations displayed today show great imagination and are an inspiration to us all.”
Hundreds of children around the county participated in the competition which was open to all primary and secondary school children. Cliona Connolly, Environment Education Officer with Wexford County Council stated that “the aim of the competition is to encourage children to make creative Christmas decorations with waste materials, fostering the ethos of reuse wherever possible.
“Schools around the county were invited to make a Christmas decoration out of waste materials. Numerous schools throughout Wexford participated in the competition and one entry per category from each school was put forward to the County Final. Among this years’ submissions were angels, cribs, wreaths, tree decorations, Christmas village scenes and Christmas trees”, concluded Ms. Connolly.
All 188 decorations received were displayed in County Hall and received great praise. The People’s Choice award proved to be a great success again this year where members of the public voted for their favourite decoration on display. Jaxson Redmond, Screen National School, secured this award with his decoration ‘The Candy Shop’.
A group category proved to be a huge success again this year as it encourages children to work together to make amazing decorations from as young as junior infants.
The overall primary school winner was created by Harry Siggins, St Kevin’s National School, Tara Hill. Harry made the winning decoration entitled ‘Christmas Wreath’ by simply using cardboard, used coffee pods and lids.
The Overall Runner-up was an entry entitled ‘Gonk’ by Eli Atkinson, 4th class, Scoil Naomh Bhríde, Blackwater.
Other winning decorations included ‘Gingerbread Man’ by Eve Byrne, Junior Infants, Ballyduff National School; ‘Christmas Wreath’ by Patrick Skelton, Senior Infants, Kilmyshall National School; ‘My Christmas Candle’ by Ava Lewis, 1st Class, St Mary’s National School, Ballygarrett; ‘Santa’s Grotto’ by Saoirse Cleary, 2nd Class, St Iberius National School, Wexford; ‘Christmas Tree’ by Jack Corish, 3rd class, Kilrane National School; ‘Christmas Tree and Jesus Born’ by Zlata Maria, 4th Class, Bunscoil Loreto, Gorey; ‘Christmas Cap Tree’ by Tara Southern, 5th class, Scoil Iosagáin, Coolgreany; ‘My Kindness Calendar’ by Orla Stafford, 6th class, Monageer National School. ‘Christmas Carol Singing at Recycling Lane’ by Amy O’ Brien, FCJ Bunclody.
Primary school group categories winners included ‘Crann na Nollaig’ by Kara Werner, Ellie Werner and Laura O’ Leary, Mercy School, John’s Rd., Wexford; and ‘Christmas Tree’ by junior infant pupils Danescastle National School.
Congratulations to all who participated.
WexfordLocal.com 