Schools from all over Donegal descended on the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny for the annual Donegal Green Schools Awards.
A large gathering of pupils and teachers were welcomed by Green Schools Manager, Cathy Baxter, in what was a great day of celebration.
Scoil Cholmcille Letterkenny, in particular, were there to be awarded with their 10th Green Flag which is a fantastic achievement marking over 20 years in the Green Schools programme.
The Green Schools programme in Ireland is in its 22nd year with 94% of schools participating. Ireland has the highest percentage of awarded flags out of all the participating countries in the world and is seen as an example of best practise by lots of the other countries.
In Donegal, there are 195 schools registered with the programme with 164 Green Flags proudly flying. Donegal schools were some of the first schools to get involved in the Green Schools programme when it started 22 years ago, and it is still going strong. Donegal County Council play a very important role in the implementation of the programme within the County.
Speaking at the ceremony, Suzanne Bogan, Waste Awareness Officer, Donegal County Council said Donegal County Council is committed to the Green Schools programme.
Suzanne Bogan, Waste Awareness Officer, Donegal County Council addressing the large crowd at the 2019 Green School Awards.
She said “The benefits are tremendous not only are we educating our pupils for the future but the positive environmental impacts each school is making cannot be underestimated”.
Green-Schools (known internationally as Eco-Schools) is an environmental education programme and awards scheme developed by FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education) and co-ordinated in Ireland by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce- The National Trust for Ireland.
Schools receiving their Green Flag were recognised under the following themes –
Energy
Crana College – Crana Road – Buncrana
Drumfad N.S – Kerrykeel – Letterkenny
Moyle N.S. – Newtowncunningham
S.N Glasáin – Creeslough – Letterkenny
Scoil Cholmcille Drumaweir – Greencastle
Scoil Naomh Duigh – Anagaire – Leitir Ceanainn – Letterkenny
Water
Scoil Cholmcille Naofa – Tory Island – Derrybeg
Scoil Naomh Padraig – Drumfries – Clonmany
St Davaddog’s N.S – Tamney – Fanad
St. Conal’s N.S – Narin / Portnoo
Biodiversity
Donagh N.S – Churchtown – Carndonagh
Gartan N.S – Churchill – Letterkenny
Kerrykeel N.S – Kerrykeel – Letterkenny
S.N. Taobhóige – An Clochán – Leifear
Scoil an Aingil Choimheadai – Keadue – Burtonport – Letterkenny
Scoil an Linbh Iosa – Coxtown – Carrigans – Lifford
Scoil Bhríde – Townparks – Convoy – Lifford
Scoil Chrannóg Bhuí – Crannóg Bhuí – Loughros Point – Ardara
Scoil Colmcille Kilmacrennan – Letterkenny
Scoil Mhuire – Dristernan – Gleneely – Inishowen
St. Eunan’s N.S – Laghey
St. Riaghan’s N.S – Drimnacrosh – Kilraine – Glenties
Global Citizenship Litter and Waste
Errigal College – Windyhall – Letterkenny
Faugher N.S – Faugher – Portnablagh – Dunfanaghy
Holy Trinity N.S – Horn Head Road – Dunfanaghy
MurroeN.S – Murroe – Dunfanaghy
Scoil an Linbh Iosa – Killymard – Donegal Town
Scoil Chartha Naofa – Keenaghan – Kilcar
Scoil Naomh Brid – Downings
St. Colmcille’s N.S – Drumman – Ballyare – Ramelton
St. Mary’s N.S – Ballygorman – Carnmalin – Malin Head
St. Patrick’s N.S– Lurgybrack – Letterkenny
Global Citizenship Energy
Gleneely N.S – Crossroads – Killygordon – Lifford
Little Angels School – Knocknamona – Letterkenny
Scoil Cholmcille Ballymena – Glengad – Malin
St. Columb’s N.S – Main St – Moville
St. Finian’s N.S – Carrowcannon – Falcarragh
Global Citizenship Marine
Fintra N.S – Fintra – Killybegs
Scoil Cholmcille Convent Road – Letterkenny
Scoil Mhuire – Main St – Stranorlar
Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal – Sentry Hill – Letterkenny
Scoil na Croise Naofa – Figart – Dunfanaghy
St. Baithin’s National School – St. Johnston – Lifford
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