Green Schools / Coiste Ghlas

An Taisce: The Green Schools Programme

The Green-Schools Programme, guided by the mission to protect planet Earth, operates through a structured framework of seven steps. These steps serve as a roadmap for schools in the collective effort to create a greener world.

The Green Schools Programme guides us through seven essential themes, from tackling litter & waste to promoting global citizenship. Each step is a practical journey toward creating a greener, more sustainable school and community. The sequential themes are as follows.

1. Litter & Waste
2. Energy
3. Water
4. Travel
5. Biodiversity
6. Global Citizenship - Litter and Waste
7. Global Citizenship - Energy
8. Global Citizenship - Marine Environment
9. Global Citizenship - Travel
10. Global Citizenship - Food and Diversity

To embark on a new theme, schools must first complete the seven steps for the preceding theme and achieve their Green-Flag certification. For example, to focus on the ‘Travel’ theme, a school would need to have successfully completed the steps for ‘Marine Environment’ and attained their Green-Flag.

This structured approach ensures that schools avoid the overwhelming task of addressing every aspect of their environment simultaneously. Instead, they can methodically build on their experience, expertise, and best practices as they progress from theme to theme.

While each theme is distinct, schools will discover significant overlap between them. For instance, recycling waste not only reduces litter but also conserves energy and water by minimizing the need to produce new products. This interconnectedness underscores the holistic nature of sustainability and encourages schools to explore synergies between themes.

By participating in the Green Schools Programme, our students not only learn about environmental issues but also actively engage in practical solutions. From reducing waste to conserving energy and promoting biodiversity, every action we take contributes to a healthier planet.

Moreover, the programme fosters a sense of global citizenship, encouraging us to consider our impact on the broader global community. Through initiatives like recycling and sustainable travel, we realize that our actions have far-reaching consequences.

Through the Green Schools Programme, schools not only cultivate environmental awareness but also foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, empowering future generations to become stewards of our planet's biodiversity and ecological stability.

The Green School Committee / Coiste Ghlas

Our Green Committee is the driving force behind our sustainability efforts at Scoil Réalt na Mara. Comprised of two representatives from each class, from 1st to 6th, these students play a crucial role in leading our school towards a greener future.

Facilitated by Mr. Ó Dúinn, our Green School Committee meets regularly to discuss initiatives and actions to promote our goals for the current school year. These young leaders serve as ambassadors, informing their peers about our environmental initiatives and inspiring them to become conscious global citizens.

Our Green School Committee 2024/2025