Planting flowers and trees might not be the way most people would try to get boys interested in school but that is what has worked at Scoil Lorcain in Waterford city.
A large amount of green space in the school and the efforts of local horticulturalist Mr Liam Power and teachers allowed the plan to be put into effect. Two years later rock gardens, trees and shrubs abound, every seed having been planted by the pupils.
"It has transformed the school," said the principal, Mr Harry Flynn, who said encouragement from the local community had also been important.
The aim of the project is to teach the children about the importance of conservation. It is part of a wider school initiative working against early school-leaving.
Winning the Waterford award in the ESB Environmental Awards and scooping a title in a tidy schools competition had given the pupils in Scoil Lorcain a great sense of achievement, Mr Flynn said.
The project is one of many funded by Waterford Area Partnership, set up in 1996 to tackle social disadvantage. The partnership is entering its second phase of funding and manager Mr Joe Stokes said new projects and initiatives would begin shortly.
Successful projects involving the partnership include:
A course to teach practical skills to women considering setting up their own businesses. Four women from the first course have so far set up businesses. One of the women, Ms Mary Hamilton, has set up a florist shop at the back of her house in Ringville.
Integrate Waterford was set up to bring together community, voluntary and statutory bodies to develop a plan for refugees and asylum-seekers. The plan has been developed throughout the year and is to be implemented shortly. Education, health and housing are some of the areas covered in the plan, which was also developed by local minority groups.
The Treo project tries to give young people an alternative to crime through a structured mentoring and guidance programme.
An exams project which provides an alternative to school for those who want to sit their exams but have had problems in the education system. Some 32 pupils are attending classes.
Presentation Secondary School in Waterford offers a parent computer course and a book-loan scheme. The projects involve parents in both the school and in their children's education.
The contemporary skills project attempts to encourage unemployed people to enter the workforce. The focus is on the personal development of those in the project rather than retraining and reskilling.