‘make it happy’ primary school competition

Rory has written to over sixty primary schools in his constituency to encourage them to enter the 2011 Make IT Happy competition, the theme of which is ‘Pass IT On’. This year schools across Britain are being challenged to demonstrate how they have used technology to connect schoolchildren with others in their community – whether down the corridor, across the street or around the UK.  Twelve winning schools from across the UK will be awarded £1,200 each, and from these entries 3 overall winners will be chosen to receive additional cash prizes.  All winners will be invited to attend an awards ceremony on 28th June 2011 at the Houses of Parliament.

Rory said: “My involvement in the Make IT Happy competition began last year, when Shankhill Primary School were finalists in the 2010 competition ‘Get Your Community Online’.  I welcomed them to Westminster as part of their prize, and was extremely proud to share their success with them. This initiative sits perfectly with my ongoing campaign to get superfast broadband for Cumbria. Schools have an incredibly important role to play in the stimulating of demand, and in the educating of their communities about the benefits of the internet. Through ‘Make IT Happy’  we can encourage children to build their confidence and skills by giving them the tools to work together with older people in their towns and villages. It’s an excellent idea, and I encourage every primary school in Penrith and the Border to try and enter.”

This year’s entry deadline is April 10th. Make IT Happy is organised by the Parliamentary Information Technology Committee (PITCOM) in partnership with e-skills UK (the sector skills council for Business and Information Technology) and is supported by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Nominet Trust.

For more information please visit www.http://makeithappy.cc4g.net/