4 Clare primary and secondary schools have been awarded Green Flags for the first time bringing to 100 the number of local schools now holding the international award for environmental action.
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 N.S., Kilkishen N.S. 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 today.
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 N.S.; Úlla Beag Preshool, Killaloe; Doolin N.S.; Scoil Mhainchín, Ennistymon; Ennis Educate Together N.S.; St. John Bosco Community College, Kildysart; St. Senan's Primary School, Kilrush; Lakyle N.S., Whitegate; Moyasta National School; Gaelscoil Iosef Naofa, Moy; St. Clare's School, Ennis; Annagh N.S.; St. Mary's National School, Feakle; St. Enda's National School, Lisdoonvarna; Scoil na Mainistreach, Quin; Moveen N.S.; St. Colman's NS, New Quay; Kilmurry N.S.; St. Aidan's N.S., Shannon; Tubber N.S.; Bridgetown N.S.; Clohanes N.S.; Colaiste Muire, Ennis; Knockanean N.S.; Mol an Óige N.S., Ennistymon; Ogonnelloe N.S; Stonehall N.S.; Sixmilebridge N.S.; Flagmount N.S.; St. Flannan's N.S., Inagh; St. Joseph's N.S., Miltown Malbay and Rockmount N.S.
Mayor of Clare, Cllr. Joe Arkins commented: “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.
She explained: "While water conservation has never been more topical, one primary school, Clohanes N.S., 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% 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."
Ms. Tarmey continued: "In addition, one secondary school alone has managed to reduce its water use by an incredible 71% following a comprehensive programme of leak detection and awareness raising through an innovative water conservation video, hippo bags in toilets among many other measures. This has saved the school more than €7,600 per annum”.
“An Taisce works in partnership with Clare County Council to run the programme in Clare. Roisin Ní Ghairbhith provides wonderful support to schools working on the travel theme, and it’s important to acknowledge her hard work," she concluded.
Anthony Purcell, Green Schools Manager with An Taisce stated: “It is a great achievement that so many primary and secondary schools continue to implement the Green-Schools programme successfully and as a result students across Clare, and indeed Ireland, are having a very positive impact on the environment both nationally and locally."
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 N.S., Kilkishen N.S. 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 today.
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 N.S.; Úlla Beag Preshool, Killaloe; Doolin N.S.; Scoil Mhainchín, Ennistymon; Ennis Educate Together N.S.; St. John Bosco Community College, Kildysart; St. Senan's Primary School, Kilrush; Lakyle N.S., Whitegate; Moyasta National School; Gaelscoil Iosef Naofa, Moy; St. Clare's School, Ennis; Annagh N.S.; St. Mary's National School, Feakle; St. Enda's National School, Lisdoonvarna; Scoil na Mainistreach, Quin; Moveen N.S.; St. Colman's NS, New Quay; Kilmurry N.S.; St. Aidan's N.S., Shannon; Tubber N.S.; Bridgetown N.S.; Clohanes N.S.; Colaiste Muire, Ennis; Knockanean N.S.; Mol an Óige N.S., Ennistymon; Ogonnelloe N.S; Stonehall N.S.; Sixmilebridge N.S.; Flagmount N.S.; St. Flannan's N.S., Inagh; St. Joseph's N.S., Miltown Malbay and Rockmount N.S.
Mayor of Clare, Cllr. Joe Arkins commented: “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.
She explained: "While water conservation has never been more topical, one primary school, Clohanes N.S., 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% 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."
Ms. Tarmey continued: "In addition, one secondary school alone has managed to reduce its water use by an incredible 71% following a comprehensive programme of leak detection and awareness raising through an innovative water conservation video, hippo bags in toilets among many other measures. This has saved the school more than €7,600 per annum”.
“An Taisce works in partnership with Clare County Council to run the programme in Clare. Roisin Ní Ghairbhith provides wonderful support to schools working on the travel theme, and it’s important to acknowledge her hard work," she concluded.
Anthony Purcell, Green Schools Manager with An Taisce stated: “It is a great achievement that so many primary and secondary schools continue to implement the Green-Schools programme successfully and as a result students across Clare, and indeed Ireland, are having a very positive impact on the environment both nationally and locally."
