ENNISKILLEN Model Primary School has once again been awarded a prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag by the environmental charity, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

The Eco-Schools Programme is the world’s largest environmental education programme and aims to make environmental awareness and action an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of a school.

Its participatory approach, and combination of learning and action, makes it an ideal way for schools to begin improving the environments of schools and their local communities.

Eco-Schools work through a simple seven-step process, resulting in the programme becoming central to the school's ethos.

Schools can choose from 10 eco-topics, ranging from litter and waste to energy, biodiversity and transport, to name but a few.

Eco-Schools work towards achieving awards: bronze, silver, and the prestigious Green Flag.

The internationally recognised Green Flag is the highest award given to Eco-Schools, and symbolises excellence in the field of environmental activity.

The new and nearly completed Model Primary School will provide an excellent base from which to fly the new flag as well as enhancing the school’s Green initiatives for many years to come.

Meanwhile, Cameron Bell, a former pupil of Enniskillen Model Primary School, is the winner of this year’s Business in the Community ‘Protect the Planet’ competition, sponsored by Translink.

He had to design a picture to show how everyone can step up to protect our planet. Barra Best judged Cameron’s picture as the overall winner, commenting favourably on the use of illustration and content.

Cameron received a £20 voucher for himself as well as a £100 voucher for the Model Primary School, which can be used at Craigville Garden Centre, Enniskillen.

The money will go towards developing a green area as part of the new school.