Meelick National School wins top prize at National Disability Authority art competition

THIRD and Fourth Class pupils from Meelick National School have been named this year’s overall winner of the National Disability Authority’s Someone Like Me Art Competition. 

Their hand-drawn book entitled Our Classroom fits Someone Like Me captured the attention of the three-person judging panel for the way in which the class’s 13 pupils creatively set out how their classroom fits everyone’s abilities. 

Within their book pupils highlight the range of things which are in place to make sure everyone fits in. These include clock, number line, numicon and blocks to help with maths; iPads and keyboards to help pupils write clearly; dark lead pencils to enable pupils to see writing clearly; headphones to block noise; a step to help reach high things; smiley face traffic lights to help with communication; sensory cushions and putty to keep pupils focused; and a mat for quiet time, to name but a few.

The announcement was made at the national final on Wednesday, January 17, which saw pupils and teachers from 48 primary schools across Ireland gather at Dublin City Hall.  The event was also livestreamed on the Someone Like Me website so that classmates, family members and friends could join in remotely.

Congratulating the pupils from Meelick National School and their teacher Anne Jordan on their success, Minister of State with special responsibility for disability, Anne Rabbitte said that the class’s entry really caught the attention of the three-person judging panel not just for its creativity, but also because its content provides a practical blueprint for classrooms all over the country.

"Their book draws on their own experience as a class group of how the school and their class teacher Anne Jordan has made the classroom a place where everyone can be themselves and fully participate in the life of the school in a way that is inclusive of all their needs," Minister Rabbitte continued.

"It carries an important, practical and inspirational message for us all."

Dr Aideen Hartney, Director of the National Disability Authority, added her congratulations: “Congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s Someone Like Me art competition and, in particular, to the pupils and teacher at Meelick National School whose insightful and thought-provoking entry earned them this year’s national title. 

"The competition is an important part of the National Disability Authority’s work to help develop and foster positive attitudes towards persons with disabilities, enabling each and every person in Ireland to feel a valued member of society," Dr Hartney said.

The prestigious competition, which is now in its eighth year, is a national celebration of the things that unite children of all abilities and forms an important part of the work of the National Disability Authority to help nurture more positive attitudes towards persons with disabilities.

This year’s competition, which placed a special emphasis on non-visible disabilities, attracted more than 2,200 entries, bringing the total number of children who have taken part over the last eight years to over 17,500.

 The competition, which offers a range of prizes up to the value of €1,250, was open to all primary school pupils (including those who are home-schooled) from junior infants to sixth class.  Entries ranged from posters, collages, poems and books to large sculptural installations and multi-media pieces. 

This year’s judging panel comprised of Ann Higgins, principal of Hospital School Children’s Health Ireland; Dr Carly Cheevers, senior research officer at the National Disability Authority; and Laura McGrath, an autism class teacher.