THE GREEN SCHOOLS PROGRAMME
 
In St Patrick's N.S we have been working on the Green Schools Programme for over 10 years.  We are very proud of all the work that has been done to date to achieve the five green flags that we have been awarded. A huge amount of dedication has been shown by the whole school community to attain these flags.
 
The programme is based on seven steps:

1. Green Schools Committee
2. Environmental Review
3. Action Plan
4. Monitoring and Evaluation
5. Curriculum Work.
6. Informing and Involving
7. Green Code.

 
The Green Schools Programme is a themed programme.  We are currently working towards our Global Citizenship Flag. We are learning about our responsibilities and rights as global citizens and making positive changes to our school environment and our practices. 
 
We look forward to raising our 6th flag some day soon! 
 
The themes are:

1. Litter and Waste
2. Energy
3. Water
4. Travel
5. Bio-diversity
6. Global Citizenship

                                                               
                                                             Growth & Green Fingers

St. Patrick’s N.S Morristown, Newbridge have a very active Green Schools Committee. The
students here are enthusiastic and full of great ideas to help to improve and nourish the school
and local community.
As part of the ongoing Green School’s work, the committee came up with an impressive action.
Each child in the school would plant a tree! There are many environmental benefits of trees and
the need for more trees in Ireland.
They accomplished that action last week with support from all the teachers and staff in St.
Patrick’s. The tree of choice was the Horse Chestnut Tree. The children collected the Conker’s
over the winter period. The seeds were kept outside in the cold for a few weeks until some
started to sprout and germinate. On a bright week in January, it was decided to pot up the
seeds. They planted over 200 seeds! The students understand that all seeds might not be
successful and grow into trees, but some will, and they will be nurtured until it is time to plant
these trees in the soil. Some trees will be planted on our school grounds and others in approved
locations around Newbridge and Kildare.
Some of the seeds have already struck and grown into large seedings which has brough great
excitement and pride to the growers. “This is a tangible way of teaching children about growing
from seed.” Ms. Burke, Green Schools Co-ordinator and 2nd class teacher in St. Patrick’s
explains that “the rewards are reaped in real time. Children are naturally interested in gardening
and growing. They love getting their hands dirty. Giving them opportunities to work outside in
our school garden has unlimited cross curricular potential, particularly tying in with SESE and
SPHE. Wellbeing is also so important to all our students these days. Gardening is a natural
stress and anxiety reliever. Being outdoors and emersed in nature is so good for young people.
Over the coming weeks we will plant vegetables and plants. We will care for them and learn
about our local biodiversity, habitats, where our food comes from, all while developing a lifelong
respect for our living environment.”
This action is one of many this Green School’s committee will complete over the next 2 years.
Follow our progress on www.stpatscofi.ie
Ní neart go cur le chéile!