Killowen Primary School, Lisburn and St Catherine’s College, Armagh have both been revealed as Northern Ireland’s ‘Tesco Green Schools of the Year’ through an initiative ran by Tesco and Action Renewables. Fighting off stiff competition from over 400 entries, Killowen and St Catherine’s impressed judges with their green credentials and both schools each received prizes of 6,000 Tesco school vouchers to spend on essential school equipment. Killowen, who were also winners last year, managed to stay on top of their game and the judges were impressed that the whole school was involved in their entry. The judges said, “Excellent evidence of green education throughout the school. The school has an eco committee, a green flag and pupils welcome visits from a number of outside environmental companies and organisations. Pupils have also made individual pledges to help reduce their energy consumption.”
	Left to right: Melanie Hamill, Andy Ewing, Anne Broome, Tesco Lisburn, Chloe Mitchell Zak Clements, Courtney Cree, Mrs F Crory, Principal Killowen PS, Nicola Chang, New Business Developer, Action Renewables, Bethany Boyd and Lee Harthrone.
Left to right: Nicola Chang, New Business Developer, Action Renewables, Mrs F Crory, Principal Killowen PS, Anne Broome, Tesco Lisburn with pupils Lee Harthrone, Courtney Cree.	Winning pupils of Tesco Greens Primary School of the Year 2010, Courtney Cree, and Lee Harthrone from Killowen PS, Lisburn
	St Catherine’s College also impressed judges with their eco-club, energy motto / project called ‘Back to Basics and their environmental code of conduct. The judges said, “The eco club builds on previous projects and the pupils evaluate how they can improve these for the future. The pupils also aim to educate their peers about becoming eco-friendly and were aware of local produce and the benefits of growing their own.”   ‘Tesco Green Schools of the Year’ competition aims to encourage pupils from primary and post primary schools throughout Northern Ireland to take responsibility for the environment and in turn raise awareness of green initiatives, which schools can and do undertake to be more environmentally friendly and set an example in their local community.
Susan Hughs, Rachael Devlin, Michael Doran, Action Renewables, Alice McConville and Jeanette Fitzpatrick, Tesco Charity Champion
“Taking care of the environment is a key priority and this competition is all about rewarding local schools for the efforts they are making to take this responsibility seriously. We were very impressed with the quality of entries this year and the wonderful initiatives being implemented by local schools and would like to congratulate all the winners” said Caoimhe Mannion, Tesco NI marketing manager. Michael Doran, director, Action Renewables, adds, “We had a great response to the competition this year and it is clear how motivated schools are to play an important role in helping the environment. The standard of the entries was outstanding, which further demonstrates the great work that schools across Northern Ireland are doing, and the examples they are setting within their local communities.”
	Rachel Devlin and Alice McConville
	Six runners up also received 2,000 Tesco school vouchers, which included; Edennderry Primary School (Portadown), Limavady Central Primary School (Limavady) and St Ninnidh’s Primary School (Fermanagh), Shimna Integrated College (Newcastle), St Columb’s College (Derry), Larne Grammar School (Larne).
Michael Doran, Action Renewables, Rachel Devlin, Alice McConville and Jeanette Fitzpatrick, Tesco Charity Champion