Green-Schools hosts first ever Green-Schools Marine Environment Awards
Earlier this month, Green-Schools Marine team were delighted to host the first ever Green Schools Marine Environment Awards at the Hyatt Centric hotel in Dublin. This event celebrated the outstanding achievements by schools on the Global Citizenship Marine Environment theme, which is proudly supported by the Marine Environment section of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
We received eighty-eight Green Flag applications for the Marine theme this year, and from those, eight regional schools, who stood out for outstanding work on the Marine theme were chosen to receive the inaugural “Marine School of the Year” award. From these fantastic schools, a national primary school winner and national secondary school winner were selected. A huge congratulations to all of our Marine Schools of the Year and all of the schools who received their Marine flag this month! Any schools going into their second year of the Marine theme in September, will be in the running for Marine School of the Year when they submit their flag application next Spring.
At the same awards ceremony, the winners of the National Marine Creative Writing Competition were also awarded. Twelve talented young authors received their prizes and their stories and poems were exhibited for guests to read. Of special note is St John of God N.S. in Waterford who had three first place winners – an amazing achievement! You can read the winning entries here.
You can see the full list of winners, and read about the national winners, below. Congratulations to all!
Marine School of the Year, Regional Primary School Winners:
Southern Region: Ellie Furlong and Aoife Davis, Selskar College
Dublin Region: Scoil Chiaráin Special School, Glasnevin, Dublin
East and Midlands: St. Anne’s N.S. Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath
South: Sisters of Charity N.S., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
North and West: Ardagh N.S., Ballina, Co. May
NATIONAL WINNER: Sisters of Charity N.S., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
Sisters of Charity N.S. participated in a range of Green School initiatives such as the SeaKeepers project, Think Before You Flush campaign and the Life Below Water Workshop. Furthermore, they ran a “Plastic Free Lunches” Campaign and every week they shared marine facts and feel-good stories via the school’s intercom. Marine themed yoga also featured as part of their curriculum. A Green Girl of the Month was chosen in each class every month and presented with a special certificate. Their Green Schools committee also got to speak about the important work they do, when their local radio station Tipp FM came to visit the school. Finally, they treated all of the attendees at the Marine Awards to a wonderful rendition of the Green Code! Well done, Sisters of Charity N.S.!
Marine School of the Year, Regional Secondary School Winners:
Dublin Region: Wesley College, Ballinteer, Co. Dublin
East and Midlands: Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Co. Meath
South: St. Peter’s College Secondary School, Wexford town
North and West: Corran College, Ballymote, Co. Sligo
NATIONAL WINNER: Wesley College, Ballinteer, Co. Dublin
Wesley College carried out lots of amazing actions during their work on the Marine theme. They took part in the Marine Film Club, and they spoke to primary school students during the National Green-Schools Marine Conference, where they highlighted the threats to the marine environment and Ireland’s marine life. They also participated in workshops, such as Global Action Plan and Education for Sustainability. During their action week, they led a community litter pick-up to reduce any litter going into drains and therefore the rivers and seas. They have now implemented monthly litter pick-ups and they are very invested in using public transport when travelling to events. They also raised funds for Friends of The Environment with a marine themed bake sale. Congratulations, Wesley College!
Green-Schools National Marine Creative Writing Competition Winners 2024:
1st & 2nd class category:
1st place: Ava Sheridan, St John of God N.S., Waterford
2nd place: Eliza Rainsford, Scoil Mhuire, Kilvemnon, Co. Tipperary
3rd place: Oisín Mahon, Gortnamona N.S., Co. Offaly
3rd & 4th class category:
1st place: Aoife Lanigan, St John of God N.S., Waterford
2nd place: Anne Gallagher, Scoil Mhuire, Kilvemnon, Co. Tipperary
3rd place: Alexia O Rourke Cullinan, St Mary’s N.S., Strokestown, Co. Roscommon
5th & 6th class category:
1st place: Lucy Lee O’Donnell, St John of God N.S., Waterford
2nd place: Henry Buckley, Church St N.S., Rathkeale, Co. Limerick
3rd place: Lucy Walsh, Burrow N.S., Sutton, Co. Dublin
Secondary School category:
1st place: Aisling Espey, Sandford Park School, Ranelagh, Dublin
2nd place: Aoibhinn Boyle, St Vincent’s Secondary School, Dundalk, Co. Louth
3rd place: Poppi Gogan, Rathdown School, Glenageary, Co. Dublin