Top of the class in news competition

Local children from 9 primary, post primary and special schools recently received prizes for their success in a Policing Board news writing competition. The schools news competition was facilitated by C2k.

Young people were asked to write a news article outlining their views on police and policing issues. The competition formed part of outreach work to children and young people as part of the Board’s latest Human Rights Thematic Inquiry.

Chair of the Board’s Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee, Basil McCrea MLA said: “This competition formed part of ongoing work on a Human Rights Thematic inquiry to consider the PSNI’s approach to policing children and young people from a human rights perspective.We are looking at how the police engage with children and young people; and issues of concern and perspectives on policing held by those children and young people.  We have been really impressed by the high standard of entries received in the competition and I would like to congratulate all the prize winners for their thoughtful contributions.

"News articles received covered many of the issues we regularly hear about such as underage drinking and the negative effect it can have on the local community.  However, some of the entries also highlighted that young people can get unfairly labelled as trouble makers and included  suggestions as to how the police could work with them to address these and other issues.

Prize winners

Primary Third Prize	Carrickmannon PS, Ballygowan	Patrick Smyth
Primary Second Prize	St Matthew’s PS, Ballygawley	Cloideach Donaghy
Primary First Prize	Ballykeel PS, Ballymena	Robyn Dorsett
Primary Overall Winner	St Teresa’s PS, Lurgan	Claire McCarron P7
Post Primary Third Prize	Sperrin Integrated	Laura McKeown
Post Primary Second Prize	Malone College	Taylor Gilmore
Post Primary First Prize	Sperrin Integrated	Myles Stewart Year 10
Post Primary Overall Winner	Sperrin Integrated	Janet McKee Year 10
Special Third Prize	Kilronan Special School	Class 8
Special Second Prize	Harberton Special School & Outreach Services	Bayley Glenn
Special First Prize	Harberton Special School & Outreach Services	P5/6A – Group Entry Bayley Glenn John Paul Faloon Charlae Morrison
Special Overall Winner	Jordanstown Schools for children with auditory or visual impairments.	P5 Group – Aine McWilliams Chloe McCarthy Samantha Church