When Colm Le Gear, a student in sixth class in Claregalway Educate Together National School, took part in the Bord Gais Capture the Power photography competition, he had no idea how exciting life was to get.
He came second and won a Canon camera. Colm was invited with a group of his classmates to Croke Park for the prize giving ceremony and an activity packed day run by Bord Gais.
They made smoothies by cycling bikes, used thermo vision cameras, kicked footballs to determine speed and saw a circus show to analyse the forces involved in the acts, among other energy based activities.
Colm was delighted to receive a calendar in the post this week from Bord Gáis which features his winning picture.
He photographed his dog Ruby running on the beach. It was described as a photograph which captures light and energy superbly.
“We are really proud of Colm and his teacher Siobhan who encouraged her students to enter the competition.
“Colm and his classmates had great fun snapping unusual shots. The competition was keen and the winning entries were stunning and really creative. He is a fine student who showed great maturity during all the excitement,” says Principal Terri Claffey.
Claregalway Educate Together is a multi-demoninational primary school. It is a school that is growing fast in pupil numbers and it will add on a fourth classroom next year which will ease the present pressure on space.
The school is taking enrolments at the moment but the Principal says the list will soon be full for next year.
“What we lack in space and aesthetic buildings we more than make up for in spirit.
Our students, parents and staff are a vibrant committed group and is was heart warming to see the way the school community rallied during the floods and the recent big freeze,” says the Principal.
She added that during the floods she was offered rooms if her family needed a place to stay, as they live in Claregalway, but luckily their home was not flooded.
“Another parent offered his car and resources to help any families affected by the floods. A parent stayed all evening to set up bulbs in the attics and heaters on timers to ensure we didn’t have frozen pipes last week,” says Terri.
“Every day we all face the challenge of working in less than adequate facilities, as do so many schools around the country. But every day we have a laugh too as this is a community with spirit. No wonder students like Colm think outside the box,” she concluded.
