The teachers and students of St Peter’s National School in Mountcharles have been given a national award by An Taisce as part of their Green Flag initiative.
They were named as regional Water School of the Year at the Green Schools awards held recently in Dublin, out of a field of 330 schools participating in the scheme.
It was a more than just reward for the hard work put in by all at the school in their environmental action and water conservation efforts over the last year.
They took part in the Shower Time Challenge, with students encouraging their families to shorten shower durations and opt for showers over baths to conserve water. This student-led initiative sparked meaningful conversations at home about the importance of everyday actions in protecting the environment.
The school also cut its water usage by over 20 percent, using a range of measures.
Hippo bags were installed in the school’s toilet cisterns, leaks were identified and repaired and water butts were set up to collect rainwater for the school garden.
The entire school community came together for a powerful Action Day, which included a Walk for Water event. This activity simulated the long daily journeys that many people, especially women and children, must make to access water. The event deepened students’ appreciation for water as a vital, shared resource.
Cathy Baxter, An Taisce Director of Education, said: “The Green-Schools Water Awards are one of the highlights of our year. They celebrate the creativity, commitment and teamwork of students and teachers working together to protect one of our most precious resources: water. These young people are leading by example and showing that real environmental change begins in our schools and communities. We’re so proud of their efforts and inspired by their impact.”
