Green Schools Award 2020

We were delighted to hear that we received our 6th Green Flag this year for our work in Global Citizenship: Litter and Waste. The theme enables schools to discover how their work positively influences our global community.

Our main aims and results when working towards this flag included:

1. Reduce single-use plastic bottles within the school

We were successful in reducing the amount of single-use plastic bottles by 88% over the course of 2 years.

2. Make an improvement in litter and waste management in the school and to reduce food waste

The committee completed a litter audit on the school grounds to identify “litter zones” and engaged in regular litter cleanups throughout the 2 years. A reduction in the litter was noted around the school grounds. Committee members spoke to classes about the correct use of recycling, landfill, and compost bins. Classes were also encouraged to reduce the amount of packaging in lunchboxes, with our primary focus being on cling film and tinfoil. Bin weights were recorded at different intervals over the 2 years and we were successful in reducing our landfill weight by over 20kgs and food waste by almost 13kgs.

3. Raise awareness of the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development

The committee investigated the UN Global Goals and decided to focus on “No Poverty”, “Zero Hunger” and “Life on Land”. As a school, we undertook several actions towards these goals, for example planting trees within the school grounds, local beach, and wood clean-ups, participating in the St Vincent de Paul Giving for Living Tree and Trocaire collections, to name only a few.

4. Raise awareness of the variety of cultures that exist within our school community

We held a Culture Day in May 2019 where older classes investigated different cultures that exist within our school and made projects about their traditions and customs. We also got to sample food from these countries, which was great fun and learning for all pupils!

The Green Schools Team

A committee made up of pupils from each class is formed at the beginning of each Green flag cycle which runs over the course of 2 years. Our Green schools committee deserve huge praise for all their work in achieving this award.

Also, a huge thanks must go to Ms. O’Regan for all her hard work in overseeing the application and her invaluable support of the committee over the 2 years.

Step One: Science

Experiment One Strand: Living Things Class: 2nd Class Activity: Mini Beast HuntExperiment Two Strand: Energy and Forces Class: Senior Infants Activity: MagnetsExperiment Three Strand: Materials Class: 6th Class Activity: Design and make a Lava LampExperiment Four...

Step Two: Technology

IPads Our school uses iPads for two classes per week per class group from Junior Infants to 6th class! Each class uses the IPads to; access information for project work, access an abundance of different programs or play educational games. They really are a fantastic...

Engineers Week 2020

We marked 'Engineers Week' from Monday 2nd March to Friday 6th March this year. We are presently working towards the Discover Primary Science Plaque of STEM Excellence which is awarded to schools in recognition of their extensive work in Science, Technology,...

Knockskeagh General Election

We held our very own general election in February 2020 this year.Each 6th class member was assigned a candidate in the Cork South West general election. The morning begun with all 6th class canvassing the school yard! Then they moved onto their speeches in the school...

2nd Class Maths Activities

2nd Class recently engaged in the Maths strand of Data. They explored many types of graphs including pictograms and bar graphs. Firstly, they explored their birthday months and made a whole class pictogram. Secondly, they investigated the variety of colours in packets...

Our Mad Scientist Showcase Event

We had a Mad Scientist Day during Science Week where children from 4th, 5th and 6th class in small groups were encouraged to research their own experiments and showcase them to the younger classes in our school hall. The groups put a lot of time and effort into...

Tree Planting Initiative

During Science Week this year, each class of our school planted a tree. The classes learned about; the importance of trees in our environment, choosing the right tree for the right place and how to plant a tree. Our County Mayor Christopher O'Sullivan visited our...

Science Speaker Visits Knockskeagh

During Science Week 2019, we were delighted to welcome Orla Rice to 2nd class in Knockskeagh National School. Orla spoke about her job with MSD in nearby Brinny, Co.Cork. She mentioned the importance of STEM subjects in her job. Also, Orla demonstrated some fun...

CSI Forensic Science Workshop in Knockskeagh

On Monday the 18th of November all children from 1st to 6th class engaged in a Forensic Science Workshop. The children learned about DNA, fingerprints, footprints & fibres. After, the children entered a crime scene. Working in groups, they tried to piece together...