Green-Schools
Scoil Mhuire's
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Our School has been involved in the Green Schools Programme since 2001. Mrs. Burke Walsh, a teacher in our school at the time, convinced us it was important to look after the environment. We have been working hard in this area since.
We are very proud to have earned seven individual Green Flags to date, for our work in the following areas:
1. Litter and Waste – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (2003 with Mrs. Burke Walsh as co-ordinator)
2. Energy - Conserving Energy (2005 with Mrs. Burke Walsh as co-ordinator)
3. Water -Water Conservation (2007 with Mrs. Burke Walsh as co-ordinator)
4. Travel – Promoting sustainable Transport Modes (2012 with Mrs. McAuliffe as co-ordinator)
5. Biodiversity – Promoting the importance of plants, animals and habitats (2014 with Mrs. McAuliffe as co-ordinator)
6. Global Citizenship Litter and Waste – Benefits of reducing waste on the wider community (2017 with Ms. Cleary as co-ordinator).
7. Global Citizenship Energy (18/19 Ms Cleary and Ms Lenfestey as coordinators)
We are very proud to have earned seven individual Green Flags to date, for our work in the following areas:
1. Litter and Waste – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (2003 with Mrs. Burke Walsh as co-ordinator)
2. Energy - Conserving Energy (2005 with Mrs. Burke Walsh as co-ordinator)
3. Water -Water Conservation (2007 with Mrs. Burke Walsh as co-ordinator)
4. Travel – Promoting sustainable Transport Modes (2012 with Mrs. McAuliffe as co-ordinator)
5. Biodiversity – Promoting the importance of plants, animals and habitats (2014 with Mrs. McAuliffe as co-ordinator)
6. Global Citizenship Litter and Waste – Benefits of reducing waste on the wider community (2017 with Ms. Cleary as co-ordinator).
7. Global Citizenship Energy (18/19 Ms Cleary and Ms Lenfestey as coordinators)
Have a look at the end of this page to see all of our Green Codes!
Global Citizenship
Marine Environment
* Flag 8 *
2022 - 2023
This is the second year of a two year cycle.
This theme focuses on raising awareness of marine eco-systems
and the work being done to save them.
We also need to ensure to follow the guidelines of the previous flags.
This is the second year of a two year cycle.
This theme focuses on raising awareness of marine eco-systems
and the work being done to save them.
We also need to ensure to follow the guidelines of the previous flags.
December 2022: First and Third Class - Sea Keepers Project - Grey Seal
December 2022: Bins Survey
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Two members of the Green School committee conducted a 'Bin Survey' in the school. They checked to see if rubbish was placed in the correct bin in each classroom. Even though scores were not perfect, there was a great improvement since the original survey conducted by Ms. Dowling in early November.
Recycling Bin: 9 out of 11 classrooms passed General Waste Bin: 8 out of 11 classrooms passed |
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December 2022: Senior Infant Classes Explored Sea Creatures
Ms. Dowling completed lessons with both Senior Infant classes on different sea creatures. They also looked at three simple ways that they can help to protect the marine environment:
1. Take all your rubbish and belongings home when you visit the beach.
2. Do not litter - even in Leixlip!
3. Try to avoid single-use plastics.
December 2022: Litter Picking
The members of the Green Schools Committee have been 'Litter Picking' in the yard every Friday at lunch time. Thankfully they do not find too much litter on the school grounds!
December 2022: Third Class Researching Different Countries
Dec 2022: First and Third Class - Sea Keepers Project - Basking Shark
November 2022: Whole School Effort to use the Bins Correctly
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1. Place all paper, cardboard, hard plastic and envelopes into the paper bin.
Paper towels and tissue paper are not allowed in this bin. 2. Place all other rubish into the 'General Waste' bin. 3. Bring home any papers and wrappers from your lunch. |
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November 2022: First Class Harvested Potatoes
Nov 2022: Both Junior Infant Classes Planted Garlic with Mr. Brennan
Nov 2022: First Class Enjoyed a Workshop with the National Reptile Zoo
November 2022: Ms. O'Callaghan's Class Planted with Mr. Brennan
October 2022: First and Third Class Completed the Preliminary Survey for 'The Sea Keepers Project'
October 2022: Our Green Schools Committee was Formed
October 2022: Third Class Made Wreaths
October 2022: Sixth Class Cleaned up the Garden
October 2022: Second Class Harvested Carrots
October 2022: Whole School Effort to Limit Packaging in Lunch Boxes
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1. We are going to try to eliminate extra packaging in our lunch boxes (no tin foil, cling film, packets etc).
2. We will reuse our drink bottles. 3. We are also going to bring healthy lunches to school. |
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October 2022: Ms. O'Dea's Class Explored Different Leaves
October 2022: First Class Enjoyed a Nature Walk
September 2022: Ms. Doyle's Class Harvested Carrots
September 2022: Both Senior Infant Classes Harvested Onions
September 2022: Ms. Flynn's Class Harvested Carrots
September 2022: Our School Celebrated National WOW
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This year National Walk to School Week was held on the 19th to 23rd September. Many children made a great effort to walk, cycle or scoot during this week.
On the Wednesday, National W.O.W (Walk on Wednesday), 202 students walked, scooted or cycled to school. This was an amazing amount, well done! There were ten lucky winners in the school raffle. |
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September 2022: Ms. Haughney's Class Harvested Potatoes
September 2022: Room 4 Went on a Nature Walk to Squirrel Wood
September 2022: Rooms 3 and 4 Class Harvested Carrots
September 2022: Ms. Doran's Class Explored the Garden
2021 - 2022
This is the first year of a two year cycle.
This theme focuses on raising awareness of marine eco-systems
and the work being done to save them.
We also need to ensure to follow the guidelines of the previous flags.
June 2022: First Class went on a Minibeast Hunt
June 2022: Third Class visited the Canal
June 2022: Fifth Class went Litter Picking with the Leixlip Tidy Towns Committee
June 2022: Green Schools Week
June 2022: Intercultural Day and Drumming Workshop
June 2022: Fifth Class went to Bloom in Dublin's Phoenix Park
June 2022: Pat has been working hard on the school grounds
May 2022: Ms. Cleary's Class checked their Strawberries
May 2022: Ms. Doyle's Class checked their onions and weeded their plot
May 2022: Ms. Flynn's Class Drew Jellyfish with Pastels
May 2022: Ms. Kelly's Class Planted Carrots
May 2022: Sea keepers Project - First and Fourth Class learned about Limpets
May 2022: Ms. McBrearty's Class Planted Basil
April & May 2022: First Class as Picker Pals
April 2022: Ms. O'Mara's Class Completed a School Census
April 2022: Ms. Cleary's and Ms. Doyle's Classes Planted Onions
April 2022: Our School Map
Our families come from all over the world. Ms. Dowling surveyed all the students in our school to see where their families are from. The different countries are represented by the different flags.
March 2022: Ms. Doyle's Class Sowed Wildflower Seeds
March 2022: Ms. Flynn's Class Explored the Canal and Leixlip Waterfall
March 2022: Ms. Kelly's Class Planted Sunflower Seeds
March 2022: Sea keepers - First and Fourth Class learned about Oyster Catchers
March 2022: Ms. McBrearty's Class Planted Garlic
March 2022: Ms. Flynn's Class Completed Water Safety Ireland's PAWS
March 2022: Ms. Cleary's Class Panted Strawberries and Potatoes
Feb 2022: Sea keepers Project - First and Fourth Class learned about Bladder Wrack
February 2022: Ms. de Barra's Class Made Shops from Recycled Material
January, February & March 2022: First Class as Picker Pals
Jan 2022: Sea keepers Project - First and Fourth Class learned about Mackerel
Jan 2022: Ms. Kelly's Class Went on a Walk Investigating the River Rye and Liffey
January 2022: Ms. de Barra's Class Wrote Poems about the Environment
January 2022: Our Environmental Review
January 2022: Ms. Kerr's Class visited the Canal
Dec 2021: Sea keepers Project - First and Fourth Class learned about Grey Seals
December 2021: Whole School
November & December 2021: First Class as Picker Pals
First class have been chosen to take part in the 'Picker Pals' environmental programme. Taking it in turns, children take home the Picker Pack each week and lead their family on a litter-picking adventure.
Nov 2021: Sea keepers Project -First and Fourth Class learned about Basking Sharks
November 2021: Ms. McBrearty's Class completed a Reptile Workshop
November 2021: Ms. O'Grady's Class Picked Apples in the Garden
October - May 2021: Sea Keepers Project - 1st and 4th Class
First and fourth class are taking part in the Sea Keepers Project with Ms. Dowling. This is a module of the Marine Environment theme that focuses on our wonderful Irish marine wildlife. Ten students from each class took part in the the initial Species Identification Survey. They had to name what they saw in each of the pictures below. Ms. Dowling will then teach a number of lessons on marine species to the whole class. The survey will then be repeated with the same children to see what they have learned.
October 2021: Ms. Haughney's Class Were Learning About Trees
October 2021: Ms. O'Mara's Class Did Hard Work in the Garden
October 2021: Ms. Kerr's Class Visited Squirrel Wood to Learn About Trees
Sept & Oct2021: A Number of Classes Harvested the Vegetables in the Garden
September 2021: Ms. Cleary's Class Visited the Wildflower Garden
September 2021: Ms. Doyle's and Ms. O'Grady's Classes Visited the Garden
September 2021: National Cycle on Wednesday (COW)
This year Bike Week was held on the 13th - 17th of September. Many children made a great effort to cycle or scoot to school during this week. On the Wednesday 15th, National C.O.W (Cycle on Wednesday), approximately 120 students cycled or scooted to school. This was an amazing amount, well done! Many children also designed ‘Bike Week’ posters. There were ten lucky winners in the school raffle.
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Our Green-Schools Committee 2018-2019
This is the second year of a 2 year cycle. We are working towards our 7th Green Flag
This is the second year of a 2 year cycle. We are working towards our 7th Green Flag
Our Green-Schools Committee 2017-2018
We are working towards our 7th Green Flag!
Walking Bus
To mark the 10th anniversary of the WOW (Walk on Wednesday) initiative by Green School Ireland, we decided to organise a "Walking Bus" on Wednesday 16th May 2018. We had over 300 students, parents and teachers involved on the day. Click the link below to see the photos.
Golden Bin Award
Last year we began a new initiative to reduce the waste in our school. It is called the Golden Bin Award. Pat, our Caretaker helps with the monitoring of the waste. Most classes are not using a general waste bin. Instead we have a recycling bin and a compost bin. By using hand towels, lunch boxes (to avoid packaging) and drink bottles we have reduced our waste considerably. We endeavour to keep our school and grounds as tidy and litter-free as possible. Our sixth class help by litter picking during lunchtime. This is overseen by the members of our very active Green Schools Committee. The class representatives look after composting in each classroom, keep classes up to date, maintain an eye on energy conservation in the school, and update the Green Schools noticeboards.
W.O.W
We also take part in Walk On Wednesday. This is aimed at providing a safe route and car-free route to school for our pupils, and reduce the traffic in the environs of the school. Every week our committee survey the classes, so we can see how well we are participating. If your child is cycling to school, please remind them to wear a helmet.
Sow and Grow Project
Scoil Mhuire took part in the Sow and Grow Project again this year. Junior Infants, 1st Class and 3rd Class were busy planting in their classrooms.They planted cress seeds, spinach seeds and pea seeds.
Solar for Schools Project
On Thursday the 30th of November, the Green-Schools Committee went to the launch of the "Solar for Schools Project". The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten TD, unveiled the innovative Solar PV-and-Battery powered technology project that enables five schools in Leixlip, Co. Kildare, to generate and store their own energy supply directly from the sun. Scoil Mhuire is delighted to be apart of this project.
As part of the launch, our Green-Schools Committee had to create a symbol to represent Solar Energy. Our symbol was a large sun with a number of appliances that use electricity. Intel representatives visited our school at the beginning of the year to tell us all about the Solar Panels. We are looking forward to saving energy this year, as part of our next Green Flag for Global Citizenship Energy. Take a look at our photos below.
As part of the launch, our Green-Schools Committee had to create a symbol to represent Solar Energy. Our symbol was a large sun with a number of appliances that use electricity. Intel representatives visited our school at the beginning of the year to tell us all about the Solar Panels. We are looking forward to saving energy this year, as part of our next Green Flag for Global Citizenship Energy. Take a look at our photos below.
Our New Scarecrows
The two 3rd classes had great fun making scarecrows for our school garden! They used straw and old clothes. Thanks to Pat for all of the help! We decided to call the Scarecrows Betty and Billy.
Solar Panels
Have a look at the solar panels that were installed in our school and Scoil Bhríde over the summer. We are now apart of INTEL's Solar for Schools Project. We are delighted that this links in with our current theme - Global Citizenship Energy.
Our Green-Schools Committee 2016-2017
We are working towards our 6th Green Flag!
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Global Citizenship Litter and Waste |
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Our 6th Green Flag!
We've done it again! Scoil Mhuire has achieved its 6th Green Flag for Global Citizenship Litter and Waste. On Tuesday the 23rd of May we travelled to The Helix, DCU campus to attend the awards ceremony and receive the flag. Well done to the Green-Schools Committee and all of the boys and girls in Scoil Mhuire for your great work on this theme.
Flag Raising Ceremony
We held our own flag unveiling ceremony in the school hall. This was attended by all the children and staff, members of the PTA and BOM. Our special guests were Dara Wyer, Environmental Awareness Officer with Kildare County Council and Songwriter Enda Reilly. Enda Reilly had a workshop with the boys and girls in 3rd and 5th classes. He taught them songs about Climate change and the environment. He then sang at our ceremony. We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our guests for celebrating with us! You can see more of our photos in the Archive under the Activities and Events tab.
Raising Awareness
Thank you to Mr. Lynch's 1st Class who helped the Green-Schools Committee create this wonderful awareness poster.
Green Code Poster Competition
We are working towards our 6th Green Flag. We had a competition for our new green code. It was very difficult to pick just one winner so we decided to join two entries together. Well done to everyone who entered.
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New Initiative
The Golden Bin Award
This is our new initiative that we set up this year to reduce the amount of waste we are producing in our classroom bins. The classes with the least amount of rubbish in their bins win the award. Our classes are very competitive and as a result of our competition most of our classes have stopped using their general waste bin. Every fortnight Pat announces the winners.
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Ways to reduce waste in the classroom:
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Researching Information
As part of our theme this year, we had to research the different nationalities in our school. We have 33 different nationalities in our school.
Sow and Grow Project
3rd Class took part in the Sow and Grow Project this year. They had lots of fun planting baby carrot seeds, green bean seeds and cress seeds. They watched the seeds grow and then they planted them in our school garden.
Green-Schools 2014-2015
Scoil Mhuire is awarded its 5th Green Flag.
We've done it again! We have been awarded our 5th Green Flag for our work on the theme "Biodiversity". On Tuesday 20th May we travelled to The Helix, DCU campus to attend the awards ceremony and receive the flag.
Flag Raising Ceremony
On Wednesday 18th June we held our own flag unveiling ceremony in the school hall. This was attended by all the children and staff, members of the PTA and BOM. Our special guest was Dara Wyer, Environmental Awareness Officer with Kildare County Council.
School Garden
We had an unexpected visitor in the yard!
Insect Hotel
The committee assembled an "INN-sect Hotel". They used twigs, moss, leaves, old flower pots and stones to fill/line the holes in the blocks.
Birds Nesting at Scoil Mhuire
Swallows built a nest in a shed which is conveniently located beside tie INN-sect Hotel!
Recycled Materials
Here are some examples of nesting boxes, scarecrows and flowers made from recycled materials.
Our meadow and wildflower
Scoil Mhuire's Green Codes
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