Green Schools Flag

Last week, we received our 6th  Green Flag for our school. This flag was for Global Citizenship; Litter and Waste. 

This theme enables schools to discover how their work positively influences our global community.

We worked very hard in several areas in order to receive this flag, but the biggest achievement we had was in reducing single-use plastic bottles within the school by a massive 88%!

We also made an improvement in litter and waste management by reducing general food waste and packaging in our lunchboxes.

Lastly, we looked at the different cultures that exist within our school community, and we held a Culture Day in May 2019 to celebrate some of these cultures.  

Well done to all involved for all their hard work and to Claire O’Regan for coordinating the submission.

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.