Belfast Harbour’s annual Green Teacher of the Year Award has once again proved extremely popular with primary schools across Northern Ireland, with a Co Fermanagh teacher winning the much-coveted title.
Mr Beattie of Belleek Controlled Primary School has been named Green Teacher of the Year after another thrilling competition, sponsored by Belfast Harbour and organized by Action Renewables.
A Northern Ireland-wide search for primary school teachers who take responsibility for eco issues, the competition calls on primary school pupils to nominate their ‘greenest teacher’ by explaining the hard work he or she does to educate pupils about the environment.
Mr Beattie was presented with his prize at a fun-filled environmental Challenge Day at W5 last month, attended by the six shortlisted teachers and their pupils. The event saw the pupils enjoy an interactive show about local wildlife and take part in a team building challenge, as well as meeting Webster the Port Monster, Belfast Harbour’s Environmental Guardian.
Mr Beattie is a keen advocate of conserving the environment and exemplifies this by cycling and running to destinations at every opportunity. He also encourages his pupils to become ‘Green Warriors’ by composting organic waste, maintaining the school vegetable patch and flower beds, as well as recycling various items such as stamps, paper, batteries and school uniforms.
All entries received in this year’s competition were judged by a panel of experts including David Knott, Environmental Manager, Belfast Harbour, Laura Coey, Education Officer, Action Renewables, Kate Noble, Environmental Officer, National Trust, and Catherine Gleave, Education Officer, RSPB.
Mrs Maguire from St Columbas’s Primary School, Tyrone, came second this year, with Miss Harron of Irvinestown Primary School, Fermanagh, third.
