Eighteen Meath schools awarded Green Flags

Schools are awarded flags for dedication to sustainability and protecting their environment

Eighteen Meath schools were awarded the Green Flag this week for their dedication to sustainability and protecting their environment. Despite two school years with closures and challenges posed by COVID-19, 526 schools across Ireland were awarded Green Flags this week, including 33 schools that have been awarded the Green Flag for the first time.

Green-Schools is an environmental management programme for schools which focuses on themes including Litter and Waste; Energy; Water; Travel; Biodiversity; Global Citizenship and Marine Environment.

Speaking at each ceremony last week, Green-Schools Manager Cathy Baxter congratulated the 526 schools receiving their Green Flag: “We know that you have all been working incredibly hard in your schools over the last year and you continued to find innovative ways to keep the programme going during school closures and social distancing. You managed to have outdoor Committee meetings, online workshops and attending online webinars to keep up to date, so thank you.”

Schools were invited to six online award ceremonies which took place from Monday, 4th to 8th October with the final ceremony for the Water theme taking place on 14th October. At the ceremonies schools enjoyed activities like Sea Shanties and online quizzes, with messages of support played from ‘Captain Climate’ actor Nicola Coughlan, champion cyclist Lara Gillespie and local authority Environmental Awareness Officers, who support schools during their participation in Green-Schools.

The Meath schools to receive Green Flags were Dunboyne Junior School, Scoil Naomh Muire, Donore, Scoil Mhuire, Kells, Oliver Plunkett NS, Navan, Scoil Mhuire, Oldcastle, Fransiscan College Gormanston, Kentstown NS, Moynalvey NS, StMary's NS, Enfield, Carrickleck NS, Kingscourt, Gaelscoil Na Mí, Ashbourne, Kilmainhamwood NS, Phil's Montessori, Kilcock, Ratoath Junior NS, St Colmcille's BNS, Kells, St Finian's NS, Enfield, St Ultan's School, Navan and St Michael's Boys NS, Trim.