Very good boys and girls invited to enter festive competition

6th class students Lauren Wong and Ryan Ward of Le Chéile NS Rathbane, and Zoe Kowalik, Jake Onslow and Lincoln Brown of Our Lady Queen of Peace NS, Janesboro, pictured at the launch in the Crescent Shopping Centre. PICTURE: ARTHUR ELLIS | ARTHUR ELLIS

placeholder image — 6th class students Lauren Wong and Ryan Ward of Le Chéile NS Rathbane, and Zoe Kowalik, Jake Onslow and Lincoln Brown of Our Lady Queen of Peace NS, Janesboro, pictured at the launch in the Crescent Shopping Centre. PICTURE: ARTHUR ELLIS | ARTHUR ELLIS

The aim of the competition is to teach pupils about the importance of sustainability, biodiversity and protecting the environment while engaging in a fun, creative class project

REGISTRATION has opened for primary schools entering the Team Limerick Clean-Up (TLC) Decorate a BIG Christmas Tree Competition, which is back and better than ever.

With brilliant prizes up for grabs, the competition is open to all primary schools in Limerick.

The aim of the competition is to teach pupils about the importance of sustainability, biodiversity and protecting the environment while engaging in a fun, creative class project.

Pupils are asked to decorate a large Christmas tree using recycled and recyclable materials - paper, cardboard, plastic, anything that would normally go in the green bin.

All participating classes will receive a large, blank Christmas tree as well as a briefing document with decorating guidelines.

There are four competition categories:

Junior Competition (Junior and Senior infants), Intermediate Competition (1st to 4th class), Senior Competition (5th and 6th class), and Additional Education Needs Competition (all age groups).

Each category has vouchers for school equipment up for grabs, with first place awarded €750, second place being awarded €550 and €350 being awarded for third place.

Speaking about the competition, TLC co-founder, JP McManus said the organisation are “delighted” to run the Christmas tree competition again this year, as they were “blown away by the creativity and imagination of the pupils who got involved last year”.

"It is an enjoyable project for primary schools with a strong educational purpose. We'd like to thank the Crescent Shopping Centre for its support on the initiative again this year.

"I am really looking forward to seeing all the Christmas trees on display in December,” Mr McManus said.

All Christmas trees will be on public display at the Crescent Shopping Centre for the month of December.

Team Limerick Clean-Up (TLC) was founded in 2015 by JP McManus, Helen O’Donnell, and Paul O’Connell with an aim to foster and build relationships with the community, instill a sense of pride in the people of Limerick and protect the environment.

Further information on the festive competition can be found on the Team Limerick Clean-up website.