News Desk

Don't forget to check our Diary of Events for the coming year.

--------------- Spring 2009 ---------------

Primary School Quiz Final 2009

There was standing room only for the spectators in a packed room at the Ballymena Showgrounds at our final of the Road Safety Council Primary School quiz on Thursday 19th March 2009.
Our President, Mr Reggie Semple, again gave his services on the night to act as quizmaster. Reggie kept the event running smoothly in his usual professional manner and had a bit of fun at the same time.

The format of the competition remained as in previous years, with all 28 teams competing to the very end of the eleven rounds. It was apparent that all the teams participating enjoyed an informative evening and this was supported by the feedback received. The quiz presented an interesting range of questions with an obviously strong Road Safety bias.

From the conversations on the evening, family members and teachers also refreshed their Road safety knowledge as a result of the quiz.
Congratulations to the finalists and all teams who took part in this year's event. Our thanks to the usual hard working team of volunteers who ensured the smooth running of the event.
The winning team were representing our Coleraine Committee and from St Columba’s Primary School, Kilrea. They were Aoife Keane, Peter Rogan, James Gillen and Mark McKillen.

The runners up were representing our Foyle & District Committee and from St Mary’s Altinure Primary School. They were Enya Hood, Megan Kerlin, Conor McGuinness and Kelsey McLaughlin.

The third place were representing our Newtownabbey Committee and from Doagh Primary School. They were Hannah Magee, Andrew Hill, Jonathan Kernaghan and Christian McNamee.

Our thanks also to the Ballymena Showgrounds staff for their help and assistance on the night.

For photos from the night click here.

Public Speaking Final 2008

Our 2008 Public Speaking Final was held on Monday the 15th December at Stranmillis College with some 200 family members, friends and teachers attending the proceedings and supporting the children. We were entertained to an excellent evening of well researched, well prepared and well presented speeches, which made for a very competitive event. The content of the speeches and presentation by all students was outstanding and served to send out a very clear road safety message.

The province was well represented by over 40 competitors travelling long distances to take part. The topics provided for this year’s event were as follows:

Road Safety – A compulsory subject to be taught at school?

Complacency! – Ignorance! – Indifference! -  Aggression! –  Selfishness - What is the worst trait of bad driving?

Drivers/vehicles kill – not roads!

Young drivers – Do they understand the risks?

Cycling proficiency – A useful aide to road safety?

Why is the Highway Code essential reading for everyone?

The role of parents/guardians in road safety education.

Using our roads safely – Who is responsible?

Bicycles are vehicles and cyclists are drivers!

Does the driving test equip newly qualified drivers to manage the risks they face on the roads?

Our thanks to the judges who had to work hard to decide the winners from a very competitive event. Thanks also to all the other volunteers who helped with the evening and last but not least a big thank you to the competitors and their supporting teachers, family members and friends.

The results were as follows:
Primary Section
Winner Hannah Cousins  - Fermanagh
Runner Up Jonathan Witherow - Ballymoney
Third Place Alasdair Deering - Donaghadee

Class "A" Section
Winner Catherine Cumiskey  - Omagh ~ Click here for speech
Runner Up Alana Hughes - Craigavon
Third Place Ellen Cupples - Fermanagh

Class "B" Section
Winner Faith Viney - Fermanagh ~ Click here for speech
Runner Up Richard Nicholl - Coleraine
Third Place Dara Murphy - Belfast

Class "C" Section
Winner Rona Anderson – Paul Chambers - Belfast ~ Click here for speech
Runner Up William McKeown  - Bangor
Third Place Ross Campbell - Magherafelt

For photos from the night click here.

Past News: 2008 ~ 2007 ~ 2006 ~ 2005 ~ 2004 ~ 2003