Newtownbutler pupil wins prestigious competition

Dearbhail McNamee, a P7 pupil at St Mary's Primary School, Newtownbutler, recently won the Equality Commission's, 'Equality for All' art competition for primary and special schools.

Dearbhail wins £75 worth of art materials and her design has been reproduced as a poster and used in the Commission's bus advertising campaign during Spring 2009.

Her artwork can be observed on buses in the Fermanagh and Greater Belfast areas as well as on a number of billboards. Dearbhail attended the prize-giving ceremony in Equality House, Belfast and received her prize from Commission Chief Executive, Evelyn Collins.

Her school Principal, Paula Kelly said staff and pupils were delighted to hear of Dearbhail's success in such a prestigious competition.

Mrs Kelly added that as part of the implementation of the Northern Ireland Revised Curriculum, the pupils had undertaken a good deal of work in the area of, 'Personal Development and Mutual Understanding'. The art competition offered an opportunity for the children to consolidate and express their perceptions and empathy with the various groupings in society.

Mrs Kelly is looking forward to displaying the artwork as a testimony to the inclusivity promoted by St Mary's Primary School.