Green School
Working together for a sustainable future.
The Children’s House Primary is part of the Green Schools Initiative, which is Ireland’s leading environmental management and award programme. Our Green School Committee is made up of six 9-12 Class children. The whole school is involved and participates.
GREEN FLAG - LITTER AND WASTE
We received our Green Flag in 2017. Our theme was litter and waste. We focussed on these two topics and encouraged a stronger sense of responsibility within the school for children, staff and families. We had a lot of fun! Some of the things we did were:
- We started to monitor waste within the school.
- We started a 3 bin system.
- We educated the school about litter.
- We reduced the litter within the school.
- We held a Green Action Day.
- We attended a Green Picnic for schools that received Green Flags.
- We created some Green mottos:
GO GREEN YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!
REDUCE! REUSE! RECYCLE!
ENERGY FLAG
We were awarded our Energy Flag in May 2019. The Energy Flag looks at the steps which can be taken as a school to reduce energy consumption and raise awareness of climate change. Our action plan was to reduce energy consumption in the school by educating children, staff and families. So far we have:
- been checking classroom temperatures daily.
- acquired an energy monitor.
- started noting the use of electricity for lights and heating.
- learned about Global warming.
- created an educational Powerpoint presentation.
- held an Energy Free Day and had an Energy Poster Competition leading up to it.
WATER FLAG
We had to work on our Water Flag during Covid, which was a great challenge. With our determination, we were able to educate the community about the benefits of using water wisely.
We achieved our Water Flag in May 2022. To achieve this we:
- Took part in a 'Groundwater - Our Hidden Treasure' poster competition.
- Had education and games on International Water Day for all the children of the school.
- Took part in Walk for Water at Glendalough together with other Green Schools.
- Held a Bake Sale for the Ukraine (donating through the Red Cross) and a portion also going to the Alzheimer's Society.
TRAVEL FLAG
The Children's House Primary has achieved the Travel Flag in 2024. To achieve this, the children:
- Held a Travel Action Day for the whole school, which helped to raise money for the Esophageal Cancer Society, supporting the fundraising by the 2 daughters of one of our staff, Ms O’Duffy, who were climbing Mt Kilimanjaro for the charity.
- Held a travel survey to find out what modes of transport were used to get to school.
- The childresn celebrated and encouraged Bike Week throughout the school.
- Increased walking and striding to school.
- Helped lower the use of cars by families in the school.
- The children were awarded the flag at a ceremony at The Helix Theatre, Dublin, where they performed the raps they had composed around the subject of travel in front of an audience of hundreds.
BIODIVERSITY FLAG
This is the latest flag the school is working on and the new Green Committee 2024 has been elected.
There is great anticipation all round regarding the many areas of interest the achievement of this flag will involve:
- Beginning with the Biodiversity of our own school grounds. The children are looking forward to deepening their knowledge and educating the school community of the benefits of promoting and supporting biodiversity in our wonderful world.
- This also ties in deeply with Maria Montessori’s view on Cosmic Education and the importance of the interconnection of all living beings.
GREEN SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Our Green School Committee is made up of:
- Six 9-12 Class children.
The whole school is involved and participates.
