2004 -2006

ane Hackett and Arlene Finn, representatives from Green Schools visited St. Joseph’s N.S., Templerainey on 2nd May 2006. They met with St. Joseph’s Green School’s Committee and discussed travel and transport and the implications for our school. Jane and Arlene gave the school a large box containing many leaflets and posters, activity books, lights for bicycles, pedometers (step counters), boxes of colouring pencils and rulers sponsored by Dublin Bus, Safesacs and reflective bands with the logo “Green –Schools-on the move!” We at St. Joseph’s appreciate these gifts and will use them as prizes to promote our School Travel Plan. Our ultimate aim is to create an environment that encourages more people to walk to and from school and to improve the journey for those who use cars or bicycles.

Click HERE for the Green-Schools Travel
Year 1 Participating Schools

National Tree Week March 5th-11th 2006
Click Here for Page

The planting of a tree by 4th. Class - March 2006
What is GREEN-SCHOOLS?

Green-Schools is a Europe-wide project designed to encourage and acknowledge whole school action for the environment.

Green Schools offers a well-defined, controllable way for you to take environmental issues from the curriculum and apply them to the day-to-day running of your school. This process will help pupils recognise the importance of environmental issues and take them more seriously in their personal and home lives.

Green-Schools is both a programme and an award scheme. The programme can be adopted by any school. The award will be given to schools that complete all the essential elements of the Green-Schools programme.

Green-Schools is designed to make environmental awareness and action an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of a school for all its pupils. It is a flexible programme and different schools will find different routes to achieving Green-School status. Green-Schools does not aim to reward specific environmental improvement projects such as making a pond or developing a wildlife area.

Green-Schools is a long-term programme: the award needs to be renewed every two years. The award will take the form of a Green Flag which can be flown outside school or displayed in the foyer. Award winners will also receive a certificate, a logo to display on headed note paper, and other publicity material. There is no cash prize. This is because, hopefully, all schools would we want all school to achieve the required standard to gain the award. Any school can achieve the award but some may be told there are still areas that need addressing.

Green School's Announcement. 3/11/05. Please ask the children not to give/send Christmas cards to each other this year. Our aim is to try to reduce the usage of paper and cardboard this Christmas.

 

The Committee meets on a regular basis to review the working of the group and to monitor the anti-litter and recycling projects in operation in the school.

Green School Meetings - Click here for an account of meetings.

Environmental Review:

We monitor the general environs of the school on a daily basis.
Every day the school is checked for litter as part of the general school
cleanliness policy.

Classrooms
- use of brightly coloured paint - brightness in the class
- regular cleaning of shades
- the promotion of a good anti-litter pro-clean policy in each class
- good litter bins with bin liners emptied daily
- dustpan and brushes supplied in all classrooms

Reduce-Reuse- Recycle
A policy of Reduce-Reuse- Recycle was initiated to reduce the amount of waste produced
by the school.
Children are asked to bring home all lunch wrappings and uneaten food.
We encourage children to recycle bottles, to reuse plastic bottles and preferably to
use a container for drinks.
Children asked bring lunch boxes and avoid paper bags, cling film, plastic bags
and tin foil.

All classes are involved in recycling.

Clean Classroom Policy– Children spend time keeping classroom clean and tidy.
Before going home children pick up pencils, paper etc. Children are responsible
for their own litter and keeping their places tidy. This reduces time spent vacuuming.

Heating
School Policy to turn off radiators before opening a window.

Lighting
Children appointed to turn off lights during breaks and at end of school day.

Corridors
All corridors, halls and all access points were examined with a view to providing
bright colour to reflect light. All light shades are cleaned 2 - 3 times a year.

Taps
All taps being used regularly were fitted with spring loading to cut down on water usage.
A new valve was installed on the heating system to reduce oil usage.

School Grounds
The grounds were examined and a generous tree, shrub and bulb planting was
carried out. Our planting has been very satisfactory. Children are taught to have respect for all trees and shrubs.
The school is also developing a more nature friendly area for birds in winter.
We also plant flowers that encourage wild life - e.g. butterflies and bees to propagate.


Pictures
We have a large quantity of pictures, prints, photographs etc. in the corridors,
halls, etc. giving our school an inviting friendly atmosphere and enhancing the internal environment.

Anti- Litter Patrol:
Linda Russell (Co-ordinator) and Green Committee
Our litter patrol is progressing well with plastic gloves and litter grabs being
provided.

Litter and its dangers:
We show anti litter videos to all classes in the school.
When children go on school tours we bring bags to collect litter that they might otherwise leave behind. These are then brought back to the school and put in the bin.

Recycling of Stamps: Bin to be left in the office
Our stamps are coming in by the hundred and this project helps the lifeboat service.

Reusable Cards: To work with local firms in re-using plastic materials and cardboard for art and nature

Curriculum Areas:
Recycling/Litter/Green School/Road Safety/Farm Safety/Road Safety
Children encouraged to bring cans, bottles, paper, clothes, books etc to Recycling
Centres.

Ringo Project
5th classes are responsible for collection of Ringos throughout school.
This year children will be trained to use computer to carry out project.

Books and Videos

We have a selection of nature/environment books and videos.
We regularly do recycling topics.

Art Projects
Involved in art project made out of waste materials.
Christmas Decorations made from recycled material – Schools’ Competition

School Informed
Each Class is kept up to date by regular announcements over the school P.A.
system and by notes on main school notice boards and classroom areas.
Teachers given information and documentation in pigeon holes in staff room.

Outside Links;

An Taisce - click here for website
We are participating in the Transport Pilot Scheme. We have focused on road safety and we have done a transport survey in each class.
See our present Transport Survey - Click Here

Repak - Click Here
We encouraged children to actively sort their waste for recycling and we used the Recycling Calendars during Repak Recycling Week 2005 (3rd –9th Oct).

Blackrock Education Centre - Click Here
Ringo Project 2005/2006 - use of the computer to carry out project.
Training to be given by Eanna Ni Lamhna.

National Parks & Wildlife Service
Outreach programme
Interactive question and answer slide show scheduled for Thursday 26th January 2006

Topics: Habitats/Irish Mammals/Bats/bugs/Wildflowers

Green-Schools benefits the school.

Green Schools has benefited the school greatly by making staff, children and
parents more aware of the litter and recycling issues and made our school a better place to work in. It also brings these issues into the wider community.
Flowerbeds are earthed up each spring. Beds are weeded regularly. Lawns
are mowed and trimmed during the growing season giving a well cared for appearanc

We are pleased with out litter management programme.
I think our schools policy of more planting of trees and shrubs and the preservation of its present hedgerows makes the school more friendly to birds and nature.

List of “Environmental” Books

Irish Environmental Library 23 volumes
Our World - 8 volumes
Tree projects for schools. An Foras Forbartha
Nature Trek in Spring and Summer
Our Planet Earth
All Kinds of Animals
Creating a school wildlife pond.
First starts elements earth
Social and Environmental Studies.
The observers book of zoo animals
Flying start science water.
Fun facts experiments nature play.
Areas of scientific interest in Ireland
Irish forestry to-day
Black and white environmental fun fact photocopiable file.
Nature trek educational.
The variety of animals - wild animals.
Animal crafts for children
Creative crafts fun with nature.
Nature trek in Autumn and Winter
Animal Quizbook
A Book for Spring
A Book for Winter
The Oxford book of wild flowers
Environmental workcards
The Enfo pack on water
Radiation.
Box file in strong room containing correspondence/newsletters etc. on green
school/environmental issues.

List of Videos on Environmental issues in Strong room

Kingdoms of the East (twin video)
Kingdoms of the deep (twin video)
Keepers of the Kingdom (twin video)
Bright Spark (1 copy)
Over the Hill
Black wind/white land (Chernobyl)
Farming a way of Life
Forests of Ireland (twin video)
The timber trade (twin video)
Farming down the years.
The flax harvest
The story of Tea
Water safety
Dig and dig on the Farm
Pond Animals
Farm Animals
Desert Animals
Mini beasts
Eye Witness Skeleton
Eye Witness Shark
Eye Witness Fish
Eye Witness Cat
Eye Witness Dog
Eye Witness Elephant

The flag was presented to the school at an awards ceremony in the An Taisce headquarters in Dublin on 27th.May '03
We have applied for Green Flag Status for this year.

25th. November 2005

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As part of our Green Schools programme this year, we are concentrating on energy awareness and the need to reduce our energy consumption.

The children will be doing their bit in school and you too can help at home. As you know, one of our biggest energy drains is transport. It would help greatly to highlight an area where we could reduce consumption, if where possible, children could either walk or cycle to school. Failing this, maybe some car pools could be organised and who knows, this could become a permanent arrangement.

Energy awareness is most important at home, so please help us in our objective by making sure your children are aware of energy saving practises in the home.

Remember, the more energy we use, the more greenhouse gases we produce and our weather is bad enough as it is!!!

Think globally, act locally.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Yours sincerely,

Ms. Russell - Green Schools Co-ordinator.
Mr. M. O’Callaghan .......... Principal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Energy Tips:

Low energy lighting.
Compact Flourescent Lights (CFLs) use 80% less electricity than ordinary bulbs to produce comparable light – and they last 8 times as long.

Water heating.
Saving hot water means saving energy and money. Take a shower instead of a bath. Use ‘economy’ programmes on your washing machine. Use ‘cool wash’ programmes for delicate fabrics.

Energy-efficient appliances.
Modern appliances are designed to use less electricity than older models. Newer washing machines and dishwashers have ‘economy’ programmes. ‘Jet spray’ type washing machines use less water and therefore less electricity to heat.

Energy labelling.
Energy labelling of all new laundry and refrigeration products is now obligatory. When shopping you will find energy information labels on all these appliances. The energy label tells you to compare how energy-efficient one model is against another. The range is from ‘A’ the most efficient to ‘G’ being the least efficient. You will enjoy ongoing long-term saving choosing the more energy-efficient model.

Draughtproofing.
Up to 15% of heat escapes through badly fitting ext4rnal doors and windows. Fitting draught excluders to eliminate draughts is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to reduce heat loss. Choose from self-adhesive foam strips, more durable metal and plastic strips and brushes for the door.

Curtains.
Pull the curtains at night. Heavy lined curtains reduce heat loss through windows.

Energy efficient cooking.
Use an electric kettle to boil water for cooking instead of using the hob. Use a toaster instead of grill. Avoid using the oven to cook one dish. Bake a few things at one time. A microwave provides an efficient way of thawing, heating the cooking food.

Appliances.
Energy is wasted if we don’t switch appliances off when they are not in use. Switch off in rooms that are unoccupied. Switch off the TV or stereo when you are finished using them or turn heater controls down when rooms are warm enough.

If you need further information on energy consumption & energy awareness log on to www.irish-energy.ie
www.esb.ie

 

St. Joseph's was one of the first schools in Ireland to be designated a 'Green School' in 1998.
To earn this title the pupil and teachers had to show they were environmentally friendly in both attitude and deed. The school aims to promote a caring and sensitive attitude to our surroundings. This is done through our educational programme and through various projects undertaken by teachers and pupils. After a review of our policies by An Taisce we were again designated a green school in 2000 and 2003. We are applying for the Green School Flag again this year.

Photographs of the Green School's Committee on the occasion of the visit of Jim Callery on the 12th December 2005 to assess the school for 'green flag' status. 

 

 

 

Tel : 0402 - 32984 Fax : 0402 - 29786 Email: iosefstaf.ias@eircom.net