Press Release

Mayor to celebrate Schools Creative Christmas Card designs

Thursday, 07 December 2006

The Mayor, Cllr Helen Quigley will announce the winners of the Mayor’s School Christmas Card Competition at a ceremony in the Guildhall this morning at 10 am.

Over 400 entries from schools across the Derry City Council area were received for the School Christmas Card Competition .

The winning card design, of an angel, was created by Foyleview Special School pupil, Christina Cresswell while the winning verse was penned by Long Tower PS pupil, Aoife Hanly. The image and verse will be used in the Mayors Christmas Card to be distributed on behalf of the Mayor across the world.

The theme for the competition was the Christmas spirit of peace and reconciliation and according to the Mayor the high standard of entries was exceptional.

“The level of interest shown in the competition was phenomenal and it was difficult task trying to choose from the entries we received. I was amazed at how the young people all grasped the concept of the theme and were able to relay their thoughts and reflections into an image or verse. All of the children who participated in the competition had a great awareness of local and global issues and this is reflected in the high standard and creativity of their work. I would like to thank all of the pupils, their teachers and their parents for taking part in the competition and for coming along to the Guildhall for the prizegiving ceremony,” she said.

The Mayor explained how the winning entries were particularly significant, she said:

“Christina’s winning design of an angel was a simple but very captive image and one which the judges believed stood out from the rest. It has a universal theme and is a very positive image and one, which I am very happy to have on my Christmas Card. The verse penned by Aoife Hanly is also of a very high standard and is a very moving and meaningful child’s perspective of what peace and reconciliation is about,” she added.

As well as receiving prizes the winners will have their names printed on the Mayors Card and their school will receive book tokens to the value of £100.

Further press information can be obtained by contacting the Marketing and Communications Section, Derry City Council, Tel. 028 7137 6504.

Notes to Editor:

The Mayor will be available for photographs with the winners of the competition displaying their winning designs and verses. Representatives from the participating schools will also be available.
Venue: Guildhall
Time: 10.00 10.15 am
Date: Today, Thursday, 07 December.
Ends

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