What stage is St. Mogue’s N.S. at?

We have completed the 7 stages of the Litter and Waste Application Process, after a challenging 3 years (including Covid!). We submitted our application on the 7th of December. We are now looking forward to meeting Áine Boylan, from Cavan County Council on Thursday 29th February for our Litter and Waste Flag Inspection. 

There are 7 steps involved in achieving the first green flag award:

 

        1.      Green Schools Committee

Each year the Green Schools Committee have worked enthusiastically towards our goal of attaining St. Mogue’s N.S first Green Schools flag for Litter and Waste. Our Committee has changed each year but the dedication and energy is always extraordinary. 

2023-24

        2.      Environmental Review

To complete our Environmental Review, we completed Audits of Litter and Waste around our school inside and outside. We explored the volume of litter and waste and came up with ideas and strategies to reduce this. During the First and Second year of this process, we had the additional challenge of Covid 19, with increasing volumes of waste due to face masks and blue roll. This was a very precarious time as safety and social distancing was top priority – safety first. 

When we exited Covid, our task became easier and more manageable. Litter and waste was highlighted as a problem as we realised we had to come up with strategies to reduce litter and waste around our school and in the locality. 321 Litter Run and BinIt2WinIt were introduced to the whole school. This needed to be a whole school approach! We were also very concerned about our locality, all of the natural beauty spots which were being neglected, we had to protect these areas also. This was when we got involved in the Picker Pals programme. We also got involved with the Annual National Spring Clean each March with An Taisce.

        3.      Action Plan

Our Green Schools Action Plan has been devised over 3 years.

Our Action Plan can be viewed in the enclosed document.

Action Plan 21-24 with timeframes print me

Our litter and waste is carefully disposed of in each classroom. We have 4 bins – recycling, composting,  waste and a “blue” bin (for blue roll and used during Covid for disposal of masks and waste).clearly labelled with pictures so students are aware what litter or waste goes where!  All bins are  We are fortunate to have a composting bin in our school garden. We are also involved with a pink clothes pod / bank. Batteries are also recycled in the school in collaboration with WEEE. 

With our Action Plan and all of the commitment of our whole school community, we knew that we could make a difference to the litter and waste  in and around our school and our locality.

We are now exploring the concept of “Zero Waste Lunches” as part of the Departments plan to introduce lunches to all Primary Schools.

        4.      Monitoring and Evaluation

Green Schools is an evolving process. We are always monitoring and evaluating our efforts and learning along the way. We have great support from Aidan, our caretaker. The whole school are involved in the process and we all have a part to play in ensuring that our journey towards reducing litter and waste is successful. 

        5.      Curriculum Work

Every class in the school including SET and the Student Council have linked Green Schools and protecting our Environment from Litter and Waste into their curriculums. A full list up to the 7th December is attached below. Examples from each classroom include Aistear Junk Art, Wellie Walks in the Junior Room, Building Bird Feeders and Minibeast Studies in Science in the Middle Room, JEP project building flower planters with insect and bird friendly paints and flowers in the Senior Room. Every Room has participated in the Annual Spring Clean, in an effort to maintain Templeport clean and litter free.

Curricular Work for Litter and Waste Flag Green Schools

        6.      Informing and Involving

The Green Schools Committee communicate with the school community through several different forums including the Green Schools Noticeboard, communicating with each class, assemblies and meetings. Regular updates on 321 Litter Run, BinIt2WinIt, Picker Pals. Communication with families through Newsletters, School Website, Picker Pals programme. The Green Schools Committee welcome all recommendations, advice and suggestions from the school community,  parents, families and local environmental interests.

        7.      Green Code

The Solution to Pollution is in OUR hands as inspired and designed by Lucy. Thanks Lucy, a very powerful message for us all. We all have an important role to play in protecting our planet from pollution.