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Sweet success for Wellington in healthy eating competition

A group of Media Studies students from Wellington College are celebrating after winning a top accolade in a Europe-wide competition.

The team representing Wellington College at the 'FOOD4U Video Festival' in Italy in early October brought home the prestigious 'Award of the Student Jury'.

The event, run annually by the Italian Ministry for Agriculture, featured 36 finalists from 15 different European nations. Wellington College were Northern Ireland's sole representatives in the final stage of the competition, which was originally opened to over 18,000 secondary schools throughout the continent, targeting over 6 million students.

Each participating school was required to produce a short "video spot" aimed at raising awareness about healthy eating. The production created had to be entertaining and relevant to both children and adults, encouraging each group to reflect upon the values of a healthy and correct diet.

The Wellington team's presentation was a stop motion animation - or ‘claymation' - featuring superbly modelled characters dubbed ‘The Healthy Suspects', a play on the classic film, ‘The Usual Suspects'. The idea was the brainchild of three Year 14 pupils - Abigail Williams, Victoria Snoddy and Sarah Campbell - and was originally Practical Production Coursework for AS Level Media Studies. However, in order to meet the campaign's criteria, a further ‘Behind the Scenes' video was also produced with assistance from other Media Studies students.

The Awards Week itself included a programme of sightseeing and study activities, including workshops addressing nutritional issues, as well as four nights' screenings of the short listed entries. The early part of the week was spent in Campania before the event culminated in Rome, the entire trip being funded by the Italian authorities.

After a fantastic week was had by all members of the Wellington party, the ‘coup de gras' was winning the ‘Award of the Student Jury.' Indeed, of all the prizes on offer, this can be considered the most prestigious, due to the fact that the winners are nominated by their fellow participants. Team member Sarah Wilson was clearly delighted: "For our production to be voted the best by the students and their teachers was a huge achievement.  It demonstrated that the idea for the production, which was born in our classroom on a Friday afternoon, really did succeed."

The success of Wellington in conquering Europe truly is a superb achievement. Without doubt, the venture will live long in the memory of those fortunate enough to taste success in the Eternal City.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Jim Rodgers, acknowledged the achievements of the Wellington pupils by inviting the group to a civic reception at his new offices in Clarendon Dock.

David Burke