Kilcoole’s Theo Wins Marine Environment Award

Theo with Green Schools’ Joanne Scott and Department of Climate’s Catherine Gaul

ilcoole Primary School student Theo Kennedy has won big at this year’s Green Schools Marine Environment Awards.

Taking place at the Hyatt Centric Hotel in the big city, Theo picked up first prize in the 1st and 2nd class category under this year’s theme, Global Citizenship: Marine Environment.

It was specifically in the national Marine Creative Writing Competition that Theo bagged his prize, his essay, A Message From The Waves, imagining the ocean sending a powerful S.O.S. to us humans and our hasty, halfwitted habit of polluting.

The competition attracted over 250 submissions from primary and secondary schools across the country, but the judges singled out Theo’s entry, praising his story for being ‘truly original and entertaining’.

Now in its sixth year, this year’s marine environment theme was supported by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, given that it encourages schools to develop an understanding of the importance of oceans and coastlines.

A total of 12 students were awarded for their creative writing achievements, with first-place winners like Theo receiving not only a trophy but book tokens, an Irish Whale And Dolphin Group adoption pack and €100 towards a creative writing workshop or further eco activities.

Noice.

Said Green-Schools manager Joanne Scott of the awards, “These students and teachers are leading by example.

“Through education, action and community engagement, they are showing how we can protect our marine environment for future generations.”