Green School Flag
The Green Schools Committee at St. Oliver Plunkett National School are working for their seventh green flag on the theme of Global Citizenship – Energy. Each class from first to sixth have two representatives on the Green Schools Committee. We are revising the Energy theme while looking at issues surrounding energy on a global scale. The most obvious global link to the Energy theme is Climate Change which is linked to energy use. We are looking at the problems associated with Climate Change and how they impact on people all over the world. Some of the impacts of climate change are habitat loss, heat stress, change in rainfall patterns, rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
Themes relating to Litter and Waste, Water, Travel and Biodiversity are constantly reviewed. We continue to monitor the use of energy in our school throughout the year. Tips are shared on making an improvement in energy management at home and at school. We have Walk to School Weeks, Feet First Friday and The Walking Bus to reduce energy consumption. Energy Busters conserve energy throughout the school at break time by turning off the lights. Litter rotas ensure our school is litter free. We encourage biodiversity in our school grounds and around the village of Blackrock.
Our Energy mottos are:
Don’t be lame! Join the energy saving campaign! (Aoife. Sixth Class.)
It’s not cool to use fuel!
We better keep our planet clean and we can all become green. (Aoibhe. Third Class).
To promote active global citizenship, the Green Schools Committee held a cake sale on May 3rd 2019 with the help of the Parents’ Council to help children in need throughout the world. The proceeds were divided between UNICEF, Lesbos refugee camp in Greece, Trócaire, Womens Aid, Dundalk and St. Vincent de Paul, Blackrock. Dr. Suzanne Carter, from Blackrock who has worked in Lesbos, shared her experience of working with refugee children with the pupils in our school.
Keeping with the energy theme, the Parents’ Council organised a school fund raiser on June 8th. The Lion King movie was screened in the Community Centre and was powered by bicycles. Teams of eight, including teachers, parents and friends of the school kept the show on the road. A fun day was enjoyed by all.
Blackrock Tidy Towns continue to support and advise us with environmental issues and gardening. We are proud to be living in Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town!
Green Schools Projects
Here are some of the Green Schools Projects based on our energy theme for 2019/2020.
Mr. Clune’s 6th Class