Working Towards Our Water Flag
16th Feb 2025
We are currently in our second year focusing on the theme of water. Soon we will be applying for our Water Flag! There is a seven-step process to go through when applying for a green flag, which we have been working diligently to complete. It's a lot of work but we do little jobs daily and that's how we make a difference!
Step 1: Finding our Green Schools Committee. We have 10 children on our committee. 2 each from 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th classes.
Step 2: Environmental Review: We completed a water audit - looking at how much water we use around our school. We surveyed classes around the school to gather data on how much water they use at home and in school.
Step 3. Action Plan: We took all of the information gathered from our environmental review and thought about how we could reduce our water consumption. We applied to Cork County Council for a water butt to gather rainwater for watering plants and for water play outside. We provided basins for each classroom so that we could reduce the amount of water being used to clean up after art lessons, etc., and ordered stools for infant classes so that the children can turn the tap off themselves. We checked taps for leaks to make sure no water is being wasted. We displayed posters around the school with information on water consumption and created a Green Schools display board on the school corridor!
Step 4. Monitoring and Evaluation: We carry out surveys and keep track of our water usage to make sure that our targets are being met, and to see how we can improve things further. Each of our Green Schools Committee members has a copy in which they keep results of surveys, bin checks, weekly tasks and notes on Green Schools meetings. They visit classrooms daily and we meet every Friday to discuss how our plan is going and what we can do the following week. We're very busy with something new to talk about each week and our committee members lead the way!
Step 5. Curriculum Work: We ensure that classes across the school are learning about environmental awareness, and keep track of lessons being taught that tie in with the values of the Green Schools, from Geography or Science lessons to poster competitions!
Step 6. Informing and Involving: Our Green Schools Committee members regularly go into classrooms around the school to educate children on what the Green Schools committee are doing and how to look after the environment. We also check recycling bins regularly, with classes winning nights off homework or extra time for games on a Friday for their efforts! We encourage children to reduce energy use and to be global citizens. Soon we will introduce the 'Big Travel Challenge', encouraging children to cycle, scoot, walk or carpool to school. In March will hold an 'Action Day', when our Green Schools Committee members will go class to classes, educating children about water use and conservation, recycling, and saving energy. They will also be doing experiments for different classes!
Step 7. Green Code - before applying for our water flag, we will write out the objectives that demonstrate Scoil Naomh Eltin's commitment to environmentally friendly actions.
Step 1: Finding our Green Schools Committee. We have 10 children on our committee. 2 each from 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th classes.
Step 2: Environmental Review: We completed a water audit - looking at how much water we use around our school. We surveyed classes around the school to gather data on how much water they use at home and in school.
Step 3. Action Plan: We took all of the information gathered from our environmental review and thought about how we could reduce our water consumption. We applied to Cork County Council for a water butt to gather rainwater for watering plants and for water play outside. We provided basins for each classroom so that we could reduce the amount of water being used to clean up after art lessons, etc., and ordered stools for infant classes so that the children can turn the tap off themselves. We checked taps for leaks to make sure no water is being wasted. We displayed posters around the school with information on water consumption and created a Green Schools display board on the school corridor!
Step 4. Monitoring and Evaluation: We carry out surveys and keep track of our water usage to make sure that our targets are being met, and to see how we can improve things further. Each of our Green Schools Committee members has a copy in which they keep results of surveys, bin checks, weekly tasks and notes on Green Schools meetings. They visit classrooms daily and we meet every Friday to discuss how our plan is going and what we can do the following week. We're very busy with something new to talk about each week and our committee members lead the way!
Step 5. Curriculum Work: We ensure that classes across the school are learning about environmental awareness, and keep track of lessons being taught that tie in with the values of the Green Schools, from Geography or Science lessons to poster competitions!
Step 6. Informing and Involving: Our Green Schools Committee members regularly go into classrooms around the school to educate children on what the Green Schools committee are doing and how to look after the environment. We also check recycling bins regularly, with classes winning nights off homework or extra time for games on a Friday for their efforts! We encourage children to reduce energy use and to be global citizens. Soon we will introduce the 'Big Travel Challenge', encouraging children to cycle, scoot, walk or carpool to school. In March will hold an 'Action Day', when our Green Schools Committee members will go class to classes, educating children about water use and conservation, recycling, and saving energy. They will also be doing experiments for different classes!
Step 7. Green Code - before applying for our water flag, we will write out the objectives that demonstrate Scoil Naomh Eltin's commitment to environmentally friendly actions.
