Dromagh Gets The Gold

Other Voices: Songs from Sliabh Luachra

Dromagh National School was awarded Gold in the Agri Aware Incredible Edibles healthy food programme during the academic year 2021 – 2022. At a time when there is a growing disconnect from where our food originates, the Incredible Edibles programme helps children learn all about how food gets to their plates while growing their own fruit, vegetables, and herbs too.

The Agri Aware Incredible Edibles programme had its biggest ever intake of entries this year. In its fourteenth year, there were over 1850 schools involved meaning more than 76,000 children across the country took part. The Award-Winning Incredible Edibles Healthy Eating Programme was launched for its 14th year in October 2021. This hands-on SESE linked programme strengthens geography, science and maths learning as well as giving pupils the tools to make better food choices.

Firstly, we had to learn about food origin: Our pupils were encouraged to visit their parents’ food cupboards and their local supermarkets in search for some yummy Irish produce. Their teacher, Ms. Edel Sheehan explained to them about the Bord Bia quality mark and were on the watch out for the little Irish symbol within their shopping trolleys with their parents. They couldn’t believe how many locally produced foods were in their cupboards at home and in the shops! This project supports the Schools Healthy Eating policy within the school.

Secondly, the children had to identify Irish potatoes, fruits, vegetables, and herbs. All pupils tasted the various foods and participated in food identification.

Next was the planting and growing section. Ms Sheehan told Agri Aware: “We have planted all seeds, strawberry plants, and potatoes. All children have participated in these activities. We are all taking care of our plants and have two teams of gardeners. Our team for this week takes out the plants each day and place them in the warm sunshine. “…. these students were busy planting their strawberries, potatoes, and seeds. They are all taking care of our plants and have two teams of gardeners. They are looking after our seedlings each day, monitoring their growth, and taking them in and out of the classroom each day. “The sprouts are in a new pot today, this made for great excitement! The children love the responsibility of taking the plants in and out each day. We have left the potatoes outside and are waiting eagerly for the first signs of growth. The children loved planting the seeds and are thoroughly enjoying taking care of them.”

Fourthly was the preparing, cooking, and eating Irish fruits and vegetables stage to the programme: The junior room teamed up with the senior room to have a fun, healthy eating day. They got to prepare, cook and eat potato wedges, fruit drinks and salads. They wrote recipes, drew pictures of fruit and vegetables. It was really fun preparing, cooking and presenting the potatoes. But the best part was getting to eat, drink and enjoy our fruit and vegetables aided by addition of a BBQ with juicy burgers from the local butchers. This was the greatest reward of all – tasting and munching on the sweet home-grown produce.

Next the pupils had to take part in Healthy Eating Week and learn about the Food Pyramid. The whole school had great fun taking part in Healthy Eating week and learned a lot. They examined their lunch boxes and completed daily fruit and vegetable charts. The children blew the judges away with the scale and quality of their gardening work and completing tasks to an impeccable standard. This Gold award follows on from the Certificate of Achievement for Incredible Edibles School of the Week which was awarded on April 6th to the Junior Room. Our school is now a Gold Standard Incredible Edibles school. Obair garraíodóirí iontacha! B’fhéidir go ndéanfaimid iarracht ar feadh dhá I ndiaidh a chéile.