Is Your Teacher "Green" Enough?

All local primary school pupils have been asked to help find this year’s ‘greenest teacher’ after Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan,  launched the 2013 ‘Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year Award’

Given the unprecedented pressure on both global and local biodiversity, Belfast Harbour and Action Renewables have again joined forces to showcase and reward primary school teachers who are taking responsibility for the environment.

Pupils from across Northern Ireland’s 850 primary schools are being urged to help their teacher be crowned ‘Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year 2013’ by telling Action Renewables, in no more than 100 words, about the hard work their teacher does to look after the environment and educate them about green issues.  Prizes for the finalists will include a fun-filled challenge day at W5 with the winners receiving class tickets to Titanic Belfast.

The Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan, said "Our environment is so fragile. It needs people committed to caring for it. That is why it is so important for our schools to be eco-schools, for young people to be continually encouraged to protect our environment. I congratulate every pupil, every teacher, every school committed to actively addressing environmental issues. I am proud to see the number of 'green' projects taking place inside schools, from recycling to reducing energy to exploring more sustainable ways of living.” 

“I encourage as many schools as possible to enter the Green Teacher of the Year Competition. My message to young people is simple - keep inspiring us to think of new ways to look after our environment, keep practicing good ways of looking after our environment." 

Roy Adair, Belfast Harbour’s CEO, continued “The Green Teacher of the Year Award 2013 is a great opportunity to celebrate the excellent environmental work which many primary school teachers do year-in, year-out.”

“The award, now in its fifth year, aims to increase understanding about the need for nature conservation, and this year we will be putting a particular focus on Belfast Harbour’s Bird Reserve which is managed by the RSPB. This year, the classes of the teachers who make it to the final on 14th November will receive membership of the RSBP for a year, which will be a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the RSBP and the work they do in Northern Ireland.” 

Nicola Murphy, Business Development Manager, Action Renewables, said “It is with increased importance that the children of today’s generation learn about environmental responsibility and importantly be accountable for it. Action Renewables are delighted to again launch the Green Teacher of the Year competition with Belfast Harbour, and through it communicate key messages which the children will hopefully put into practice throughout their lives.”

“Each year that the competition has been running we have received hundreds of entries and hope this  year will not be an exception.  We look forward to seeing what inventive projects this year’s competition will bring, with eco comic strips and a greenhouse made from recycled bottles being highlights from previous years”

From the hundreds of entries received, six teachers will be selected as finalists.  They and their classes will be invited to take part in an all-expenses-paid fun Challenge Day at W5 on Thursday 14th November 2013.  The teachers and pupils will meet Webster, Belfast Harbour’s environmental guardian, enjoy an interactive W5 show about local wildlife, work on a team challenge and take part in an ‘Ask the Expert’ session. All finalist schools will receive a goody bag and a year’s membership to the RSPB for their class.

The day will conclude with one teacher being awarded the coveted Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year title by Belfast’s Lord Mayor and winning tickets for their class to The Titanic as well as a large hamper for all their hard work.   There will also be prizes for the 2nd and 3rd prizes of hampers and tickets for another day out to explore W5 with their classes. 

Any primary schoolchildren who think their teacher deserves the Green Teacher of the Year title should send their entry, consisting of no more than 100 words, to ‘Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year 2013’, Action Renewables, Boucher Business Studios, Block C, Unit 1, Glenmachan Place, Belfast, BT12 0PL or email education@actionrenewables.co.uk by 18 October to ensure their teacher doesn’t miss out. 

This year’s judging panel includes David Knott, Environmental Manager, Belfast Harbour, Laura Coey, Education Officer, Action Renewables, Kate Noble, Environmental Officer, National Trust and Catherine Gleave, Education Officer, RSPB.  Last year’s winner was Mrs Jocelyn Brown from Ballycraig Primary School.