What is Green Schools?
We have been part of the Green Schools programme since 2006 and are very proud of our involvement.
Green Schools gives children the opportunity to learn about environmental issues and apply them to the day-to-day running of the school.
We are currently working on our 6th Green Flag renewal. Our current theme is Global Citizenship - Litter and Waste. We have previously successfully completed work on the themes of Litter and Waste, Energy, Water, Transport and Biodiversity. The achievement of our 5 previous Green Flags is testament to the commitment and effort of our whole school community - students, teachers and parents.
As Green Schools is a student-led programme our ideas come from our Committee. Our Green School Committee is made up of two pupils from each class all the way from Junior Infants to 6th class. They meet regularly and spread the green school message in their class, promoting whole-school actions to help the environment.
Our Current Initiatives…
In class we learn about the environment in our geography and science curriculum.
We have a recycling depot in school where old phones, ink cartridges and batteries are collected for recycling in aid of Jack & Jill. 5th class volunteers pick up litter at break-time each day. 6th class are working on a project to increase the biodiversity in the school grounds. They have made bird feeders and are investigating which foods attract the most birds. Our senior classes have been on field trips to Vesey Park, guided by a park ranger from South Dublin County Council, to learn about initiatives to increase local biodiversity. Our committee encourages all of us to travel to school in an environmentally friendly way such as scooting, cycling or walking. Our new bike racks and scooter racks were installed thanks to Green Schools initiatives and we recently held a Scoot to School week. 3rd class are aiming to cut our energy consumption within the school and so each class turns off lights and devices when they are not in use. While continuing our work on each of the previous topics, our current cycle means that we are now looking at how environmental concerns affect people across the planet.
In St. Mary’s it is very important that our students have the opportunity to exercise their social conscience and leadership skills. The Green Schools programme is one way they can do this. Implementing the Green Schools programme means that environmental awareness and action is an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of our school. Looking to the future, we believe this is more important than ever for our pupils.