Tattygar Primary School, Lisbellaw, were recently received £4,000 from the DOE’s Challenge Fund. Delighted staff and pupils plan to build a poly tunnel and develop other environmental projects within the school. Back from left, John Prunty (Principal), Joe Doherty, Ellen Moore, Ryan Hannigan and Aideen McGarrigle (Teacher). Front, Conan McPhillips, Ryan Gilleece and Eoghan Callaghan RMG02
FIVE Fermanagh schools will receive a total of £11,750 towards environmental work from the Department of Environment.
The DOE’s Challenge Fund will see St Comhghalls’ College, Lisnaskea and Tattygar Primary School, Lisbellaw both receive £4,000 for separate projects, while Jones Memorial, Lisbellaw and Maguiresbridge Primary Schools will each receive £1,250.
St Comhghall’s has been offered £4,000 to complete their ‘School Farm and Allotments’ project. This will engage pupils, teachers and the wider community in developing a self sustaining farm within the school to be used for environmental education. Allotment facilities, a wildlife garden and pond will be also installed.
Jones Memorial, Tattygar, Libellaw and Maguiresbridge Primary Schools will collaborate to deliver their ‘StreamScapes Erne: Catchment Waters and Wildlife’ project. This hands-on educational programme will be centred on the aquatic environment and biodiversity of the Erne catchment area.
As part of the project native brown trout eggs will be hatched in the classroom and pupils will produce a ‘StreamScapes Erne’ booklet to be distributed to the local community.
In June this year, the Environment Minister Mark H Durkan invited applications from community groups and schools to carry out projects that would improve their local environment. In total 32 schools and nurseries across the North will be offered £90,245 from the Challenge Fund for the Environmental Education projects.
Announcing the successful projects, Mr Durkan said: “I am delighted that my department is able to provide a boost for these five schools in Fermanagh. St Comhghall’s College’s school farm, allotments and wildlife gardens will be a great asset in promoting access to the natural environment within the local community. I also wish to commend Jones Memorial, Tattygar, Libellaw and Maguiresbridge Primary Schools who will join forces to deliver an exciting educational programme on Erne’s wonderful aquatic environment.
“This investment in children and young people is vital, not only for the local environment and wider community in the present, but for generations to come.”
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