Fifty-five schools in Donegal were awarded Green Flags at a special event held in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny earlier this month.
Three schools were there to receive their Green Flag for the very first time for their work on Litter & Waste while 52 schools were receiving renewals of their flags.
Castleshanaghan N.S., Letterkenny, Crana College Buncrana and Scoil Chaitriona, Ballyshannon all received their first Green Flag.
A number of schools were awarded their flags for Global Citizenship Energy having been involved in the programme for at least 14 years. Scoil Cholmcille in Letterkenny was awarded their 9th Green Flag.
Speaking at the event Cathaoirleach Cllr. Terence Slowey congratulated the schools involved with this programme saying “your commitment to this programme is outstanding and I must commend the whole school for this achievement. This includes students, staff, parents associations and Boards of Management and in particular the Green Schools co-ordinators”.
Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, Ballinamore receiving the prestigious Green Schools Irish Water School of the Year Award for the Western Region
The Cathaoirleach paid a special tribute to Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, Ballinamore who were recognised nationally when they were awarded with the prestigious title of Green Schools Irish Water School of the Year for the Western Region having been shortlisted from 3,000 applications. The school stood out for special recognition having reduced their water usage by over 80%.
Green Schools Co-ordinator Seamus O’Fhearraigh along with members of the Green Team were presented with their trophy at a special event in Dublin on Thursday 4th May.
Congratulating the school Cllr. Slowey said that this was a fantastic achievement for the school and the county to receive this recognition at the highest level.
The Green-Schools programme is an environmental education programme and has been operating in Ireland for 20 years and is frequently regarded as best practice internationally.
Schools implement a 7 step programme focusing on different themes such as Litter & Waste, Energy, Water, School Travel, Biodiversity and Global Citizenship to achieve the Green Flag award. Student-led initiatives and whole-school action are key to the programme.
In Donegal 195 schools are registered with the programme and 164 Green Flags proudly fly across Donegal.
Students from Loreto Community School Milford receiving their Green Flag at the special ceremony in Letterkenny
Donegal schools were some of the first schools to get involved in the Green Schools programme when it started 20 years ago and it is still going strong. Donegal County Council plays an important role in the implementation of the programme.
“Donegal County Council is committed to the Green Schools programme as the benefits are tremendous not only are we educating our pupils for the future but the positive environmental impacts each school is making cannot be underestimated” said Suzanne Bogan, Waste Awareness Officer, Donegal County Council.
The programme is also sponsored by Irish Water, The Wrigley Company and Toyota Motor Europe.
Students and teachers from Scoil Naomh Fionán Falcarragh receiving their Green Flag at the special ceremony in Letterkenny
Donegal Schools Awarded Green Flags in 2017
Litter and Waste
Cashelshanaghan N.S., Ballymaleel
Crana College, Buncrana
Scoil Chaitriona, Ballyshannon
Energy
Scoil Naomh Padraig, Drumfries
St Davaddog’s N.S, Fanad
St. Conal’s N.S, Narin Portnoo
Water
Bocan Community Creche, Culdaff
Fintra N.S, Killybegs
Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, Ballinamore
S.N. An Choimin, Clochan
Scoil Mhuire, Glenties
St. Baithin’s N.S, St. Johnston
St. Joseph’s N.S Lower, Illies
Travel
Donagh N.S, Carndonagh
Dooish N.S, Ballybofey
Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maistrí, Donegal Town
Gartan N.S, Churchill
Kerrykeel N.S, Kerrykeel
S.N. Árainn Mhór 2, Arranmore Island
S.N. Ná Dúchoraidh, Doochary
S.N. Taobhóige, An Clochán
Scoil an Aingil Choimheadai Keadue, Burtonport
Scoil an Linbh Iosa, Carrigans
Scoil Bhríde N.S, Convoy
Scoil Chrannóg Bhuí, Ardara
Scoil Mhuire Dristernan, Gleneely
St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar
St. Columba’s N.S Acres, Burtonport
St. Eunan’s N.S, Laghey
St. Oran’s N.S., Cockhill
St. Riaghan’s N.S, Glenties
Biodiversity
Errigal College , Letterkenny
Faugher N.S , Portnablagh
Glenmaquin N.S, Glenmaquin
Holy Trinity N.S, Dunfanaghy
Loreto Community School, Milford
Murroe National School, Murroe
Scoil Chartha Naofa , Kilcar
Scoil Eoin Baiste, Carrigart
Scoil Naomh Brid, Downings
St. Colmcille’s N.S, Ballyare
St. Garvan’s, Rathmullan
St. Mary’s N.S, Malin Head
GC Litter and Waste
Gleneely N.S Crossroads, Killygordon
Little Angels School, Letterkenny
Scoil Cholmcille, Glengad
Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Illistrin
St. Columb’s N.S, St Moville
St. Finian’s N.S, Falcarragh
St. Safan’s National School, Drumdoit
GC Energy
Rockfield N.S, Ballyshannon
Scoil Cholmcille, Letterkenny
Scoil Mhuire, Stranorlar,
Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Letterkenny
Scoil na Croise Naofa, Dunfanaghy
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