Race for Green Teacher reaching home straight

The unique competition, organised by Belfast Harbour and Action Renewables, rewards primary school teachers for taking responsibility for the environment and eco issues.

Pupils and teachers at St Aloysius Primary School i received a visit this week from one of the competition judges, Action Renewables’ Education Officer, Laura Coey, who spoke to the pupils about green issues and provided tips on how they can help care for the environment.

Entries from across Northern Ireland have been coming in since the annual award, now in its fourth year, was launched in June. To give their teacher the opportunity to be crowned ‘Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year 2012’ pupils must tell Action Renewables, in no more than 100 words, about the hard work their teacher does to consider the environment and educate children about ‘green’ issues.

All entries will be judged by a panel of experts, including David Knott, Environmental Manager at Belfast Harbour, Angus Waddington, Associate at Todd Architects, Clare McAllister, Senior Customer Relations Manager at Electric Ireland, and Kate Noble, Head of Energy and Environmental Practices at the National Trust and Laura Coey, Education Officer at Action Renewables.

On Wednesday November 14, six finalist teachers and their classes will be invited to take part in an all-expenses-paid fun Challenge Day at W5, an interactive discovery centre where they will meet Webster, Belfast Harbour’s environmental guardian, enjoy an interactive ‘Talking Rubbish’ show and take part in a new team challenge for 2012 to create wind turbines.

As the day draws to a close, one teacher will not only be presented with the coveted Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year title, but will also be provided with winning tickets for their class to the new Titanic Belfast visitor attraction and a large hamper for the teacher. Two runner ups will also receive special hampers, as well as W5 tickets for their classes. Goodie bags will also be given out to all pupils participating in the Challenge day.

Any primary schoolchildren who think their teacher deserves the Green Teacher of the Year title should send their entry, which should consist of no more than 100 words, to ‘Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year 2012’, Action Renewables, Boucher Business Studios, Block C, Unit 1, Glenmachan Place, Belfast, BT12 0PL or email [email protected] by October 19 to ensure their teacher doesn’t miss out.