This article is from page 24 of the 2014-05-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
THE school’s Green Flag initiative reached a significant milestone this week when the 100th school in the county was given the environmental award.
Four Clare primary and secondary schools were awarded Green Flags for the first time bringing the number of local schools now holding the international award for environmental action to the century mark.
Run by An Taisce, in partnership with local authorities throughout Ireland, the Green Schools award scheme is an international environmental education programme and management system that acknowledges long-term, whole school action for the environment.
St Patrick’s Comprehensive School in Shannon; Coore NS, Kilkishen NS and Scoil Mhuire in Meelick were presented with their very first Green Flag at a special An Taisce Green Schools Awards ceremony in the Radisson Hotel in Galway.
A further 32 schools successfully renewed their Green Flags following work on new themes including energy, water, travel, biodiversity and global citizenship litter/waste.
The schools include Clondrinagh NS; Úlla Beag Preshool, Killaloe; Doolin NS; Scoil Mhainchín, Ennistymon; Ennis Educate Together NS; St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart; St Senan’s Primary School, Kilrush; Lakyle NS, Whitegate; Moyasta National School; Gaelscoil Iosef Naofa, Moy; St Clare’s School, Ennis; Annagh NS; St Mary’s National School, Feakle; St Enda’s National School, Lisdoonvarna; Scoil na Mainistreach, Quin; Moveen NS; St Colman’s NS, New Quay; Kilmurry NS; St Aidan’s NS, Shannon; Tubber NS; Bridgetown NS; Clohanes NS; Colaiste Muire, Ennis; Knockanean NS; Mol an Óige NS, Ennistymon; Ogonnelloe NS; Stonehall NS; Sixmilebridge NS; Flagmount NS; St Flannan’s NS, Inagh; St Joseph’s NS, Miltown Malbay and Rockmount NS.
Mayor of Clare, Joe Arkins said, “The Green Schools programme continues to be a phenomenal success in Clare with 100 schools now flying the Green Flag. It is estimated that this amounts to a significant cost savings of € 135, 505 for Clare schools. Comhgairdeas do na scoileanna sin ar bronnadh a gcuid Brat Glas.”
Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer, noted that Clare’s Green Flag schools have shown significant savings in generating less waste, and reducing energy as well as water consumption.
“While water conservation has never been more topical, one primary school, Clohanes NS, is leading the way and has been just awarded regional winners of the ‘Water School of the Year’ in the southern region. Sponsored by Irish Water, this is the first time such awards have been run. They achieved a 74 per cent reduction in the average litres used per student per day through introducing measures such as urinal sensors, push taps, water experiments, table quizzes, poems, posters and water saving tips.”