Green Schools


Global Citizenship-Marine Environment


We are currently working towards our 7th Green Flag which is GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP: MARINE ENVIRONMENT.

Over the past 13 years we have explored and raised awareness on the topics of Waste, Litter, Energy, Water, Travel, Biodiversity and Global Citizenship: Litter and Waste.

This year's theme looks at the Marine Environment all over the world, with a particular focus on the global problem of 'Marine Pollution'. Our aim is to create awareness and understanding of the importance of a healthy marine environment to human life, the detrimental effects plastic pollution is having on our marine environment, both here in Ireland and internationally, and how we can do our bit to reduce plastic pollution through the everyday choices we make.

Actions and Targets:

Our actions and targets for Global Citizenship: The Marine Environment are focused around:

  • Raising awareness on how looking after our marine environment is essential for human health and the sustainability of our planet.
  • Investigating sources of marine litter and promoting the reduction of single-use plastics being brought to and used in the school, by encouraging the use of reusable containers and bottles.
  • Integrating the Global Citizenship: Marine Environment ethos into our wider Green-Schools Programme.
  • Reducing the amount of single-use plastics we use at school.

Green Schools Committee 2019-20


Green Schools Slogan 2019-20



Global Citizenship-Litter & Waste


In Kilmyshall NS we are currently working towards our 6th Green Flag which is GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP LITTER AND WASTE.

Over the past 12 years we have explored and raised awareness on the topics of Waste, Litter, Energy, Water, Travel and Biodiversity.

These themes were related to issues in or near our school whereas Global Citizenship – Litter & Waste looks at these issues around the world.

The theme ‘Global Citizenship Litter and Waste’ is concerned with creating knowledge and understanding that all people have equal rights and that we value the earth as very precious and as a resource upon which we all depend and should care for.

Actions & Targets:

Our actions and targets for Global Citizenship Litter & Waste are focused around:

• Raising awareness on how looking after our environment aids people all over the world.

• Promoting and facilitating ‘Active Citizenship’.

• Integrating the Global Citizenship Litter & Waste ethos into our wider Green-Schools programme.

• Making an improvement in the Litter & Waste management in our school.



Committee 2018-19




Energy

Aims:

Monitor & Evaluate our energy usage with a view to conserving energy and reducing consumption.

Waste

Aims:

Reduce amounts going to landfill.


Water

Aims:

Continue to raise awareness of water consumption and reduce usage throughout the school.

Leave No Trace Workshop


http://www.leavenotraceireland.org/

We had a fantastic experience taking part in the Leave No Trace workshop with Eoin. Leave No Trace promotes the sustainable use of our public lands. We learned the of 7 core principles that Leave No Trace is based upon.


Global Citizenship


Nationalities Day 2019

The Green Schools Committee celebrated the multiculturalism of Kilmyshall National School on February 1st 2019. All the children really enjoyed learning about the different cultures and tasting some delicious food from different countries. Special thanks to Sharon and Katarzyna for coming in to talk to us and for the amazing treats.

The school community of Kilmyshall N.S. makes every effort to keep our school as 'green' as possible. We are proud owners of FIVE Green School Flags for our participation in the GreenSchools initiative.

In 2009 the school was awarded its first Green Flag which was raised by Mr. Trevor Sargent, the then Minister of State at the Dept. of Food and Agriculture. As we take pride in the appearance of our school and to maintain a litter free school environment, empty cartons and uneaten lunches are brought home.

Each classroom is provided with three bins - one for compostable materials e.g.banana skins, one for waste paper and the third for non-recyclable materials. 'Litter Teams' are established each September with one team on duty each week using litter pickers and the children are to be complimented on how clean the school is kept.

In 2008 the school was awarded the title 'Co.Wexford Waterwise School of the Year' and in 2009 'Cleanest School in Co.Wexford'. All efforts at keeping our school as 'green' as possible are appreciated.

There are opportunities in Kilmyshall N.S. to recycle stamps, ringos, batteries and inkjet/print/toner cartridges. Paper is shredded and given to any parent who may wish to avail of it for 'bedding' for animals and an outdoor compost bin provides the foundations for flower boxes and baskets.

Our Sensory Garden

Since then, many events have been marked with the planting of shrubs or flowers e.g.Colm Kehoe, a past pupil of the school and former Co.Hurling All-Ireland medal winner, planted purple and gold flowers to mark the 125th anniversary of the founding of the G.A.A.

In September, 2009, the Board of Management, received a gift of a beautiful granite table and seats from the Doyle family, Kyle, one of the current families attending the school. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have received such a generous gift which provides an 'outdoor classroom' for our pupils and as a result we are the envy of all visitors to the school. With global warming we hope to have the weather to enjoy it!

The children continue to improve the garden area and have created an interesting insect habitat and a woodland section. Various wildlife attractions e.g.bird and insect boxes, have been added, many provided by token collection and a couple of parents contributed to the purchase of a sundial. The 'Sensory Garden' is an ongoing project and is a terrific amenity not just from an aesthetic point of view but also for the many learning opportunities it offers.

See more photos of our Sensory Garden in our photo gallery here.

In the school year, 2008-2009, a sensory garden was developed at the front of the school. This project was carried out in association with the National Heritage Council, individual parents, staff, pupils and members of the Board of Management.

The various flower beds depict the senses: smell, taste, sight, sound and touch. Trevor Sargent, the then Minister of State at the Dept. of Food and Agriculture, had the distinction of planting the very first plant in the garden when he placed grasses in the 'sound' bed. this took place on May 25th 2009, when he raised the school's very first green flag.