Record 93 Clare Schools Fly Green Flags

June 6, 2012 - PRLog -- 13 schools have been presented with the prestigious award for the first time, while a further 29 schools successfully retained their Flags. A further 51 Clare schools will be seeking to renew their Green Flag status in 2013.

Green-Schools is an international environmental education programme, environmental management system and award scheme that acknowledges long-term, whole school action for the environment.  It is run by An Taisce in partnership with local authorities throughout Ireland.  

Mayor of Clare, Cllr. Pat Hayes commented: “I am delighted that the Green Schools programme is such a success in Clare with 93 schools having attained the Green Flag.  It is estimated that this amounts to a staggering cost savings of €182,040.19 for Clare schools, and this is a conservative estimate. I congratulate all the schools who were are flying their brand new Green Flags outside their schools.”

Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer, said: “Savings for Irish schools in 2010/2011 are very impressive: more than 7,400 tonnes of waste has been diverted from landfill (equivalent to 57,000 wheelie bins), enough energy to boil 384 million kettles has been reduced, water consumption has been cut by 146 million litres (that’s enough to flush your toilet 16.3 million times), and 1,350,000 kilometres of travel has been saved. This is an incredible record and one which all schools should be very proud.”  

Ms. Tarmey noted that a number of An Taisce staff are also working with Clare schools including two Development Officers, Sean Hartigan and Graham Clarke, and Roisin Ni Ghairbhith, the GS Travel Officer.  “Clare County Council works very much in partnership with An Taisce to co-ordinate and develop Green School programme.  Thank you goes out to each of them for their hard work,” she explained.

Cathy Baxter, Green Schools Manager with An Taisce stated: “An Taisce are so impressed with the students efforts this year, and we are also so grateful to the teachers involved, who have put in a tremendous effort. It’s heartening to witness so many positive activities taking place on the ground.”

Thirteen schools were presented with their very first Green Flag namely: St. Joseph's NS, Cree; St. Cronan's N.S., Carron; Moyasta N.S.; Ennis Educate Together; Ulla Beag Pre School in Killaloe; Baltard N.S. nr Doonbeg; Lackyle N.S., Whitegate; Tuamgraney N.S.; Scoil Mhainchin, Ennistymon; St. John Bosco Community College, Kildysart; St. Claire's school in Ennis; and Doolin N.S.; Clondrinagh NS, Lissycasey.

A further 29 schools renewed their Green Flag including Barefield N.S.; Bridgetown National School; Doora N.S.; Flagmount N.S.; Furglan N.S.; Kilmihil N.S.; Mol an Óige National School, Ennistymon; Ogonnelloe N.S; Rineen N.S. and Rockmount N.S. (both near  Miltown Malbay) , St. Conaire's N.S., Shannon; St. Flannan's N.S. (Inagh NS); St. Joseph's Education Centre in Ennis; St. Joseph's N.S., Milltown Malbay; Stonehall N.S., Shannon; Tullycrine N.S., Kilrush;  St. Enda's National School, Lisdoonvarna; Labasheeda N.S.; Scoil Chríost Rí, Ennis; Scoil Mhuire (Inch N.S); Sixmilebridge N.S.; Annagh N.S.; CBS Primary School, Ennis; Kilmurry NS;  Moveen N.S. near Kilkee; Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire, Newmarket-on-Fergus; St. Aidan's N.S., Shannon; St. Colman's NS, New Quay and St. Mary's National School, Feakle.

“Green-Schools” is an initiative of FEE - Foundation for Environmental Education and is referred to internationally as Eco-Schools.