A CLASS from Clifton Special School, Bangor has won the Special Schools category in Musgrave NI (MNI) and Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) art competition.
 
The winning school class impressed judges with their 3D story board explaining farm life through the seasons which stood out amongst the high standard of entries.
 
All five category winners highlighted a strong understanding of the two farming themes – ‘Seasons of Farming’ and ‘Farm Safety’ as well as great imagination in their presentation.
 
Other winners in the competition included classes from Randalstown Central Primary School Reception, Co. Antrim for the Nursery category, Mullaglass Primary School, Newry, Co. Down who took the top spot in the P1-2 category, St. Francis’ Primary School, Castlewellan, Co. Down winning the P3-4 category and P5-7 category winner Woods Primary School, Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry.
 
Since the competition launched in December, classes have been busy designing their farming themed creations with the winning projects including Sally the Farm Safety Cow - a life size papier-mâché cow, story boards and 3D models explaining the Seasons of Farming.
 
Each category will receive £200 and a visit from Mash Direct, while the five runner-up classes will receive £100 each.
 
MNI’s Managing Director, Michael McCormack said: “Congratulations to all of the children who took the time and effort to create some fantastic pieces of art. The standard in this year’s competition was very high but the winning entries really shone through with their creativeness as well as their understanding of the farming and agri-food industry.
“It has been great to be able to partner with the Ulster Farmers’ Union in this worthwhile initiative to highlight the importance of the agri-food industry in Northern Ireland to the younger generation and we look forward to next year’s competition,” he added.
 
UFU President, Ian Marshall said: “Congratulations to the five winning school classes who created wonderful pieces of visual art which really captured the imagination.

“The feedback has been great and we are delighted to see how worthwhile it has been for the children by incorporating it into their curriculum. We feel this has really helped in our aim to make children understand how farming and agriculture matters to everyone in Northern Ireland,” he added.

Pictured: Pupils from Clifton Special School, Bangor are celebrating along with their teacher Mrs Sinnamon (right) after being announced as the Special Schools category winner in Musgrave NI and Ulster Farmers’ Union art competition. Mrs Sinnamon’s class impressed judges with their creative art display on ‘Seasons of Farming’ and pupil Matthew Watters was presented with their £200 prize from UFU’s Barclay Bell and Musgrave’s Jen Higgins.