At the Green-Schools Water Awards, which took place on Wednesday, May 4th,  schools from across Ireland were recognised for reducing their water consumption, raising awareness about water issues and involving their community. The Green-Schools Water programme is operated by An Taisce’s Environmental Education Unit and is proudly supported and sponsored by Irish Water.

The Green-Schools Water School of the Year Awards recognise the dedication and innovation shown by schools that have been working on the Water theme and that are receiving the internationally recognised Green Flag for Water this year. Seamount College, Kinvara, Galway was announced as the Secondary Water School of the Year and Greystones Educate Together National School, Wicklow was announced as the national Primary School of the Year. Six other schools, three primary and three secondary, were also named the regional winners of the Irish Water Green-Schools of the Year Award (listed below).

Twelve winners of the Green-Schools ‘Be Water Smart’ Poster Competition were awarded at the ceremony for their colourful depictions of the ‘Be Water Smart’ message.

For the first time, six Green-Schools Water Ambassadors were announced at the ceremony. The new Ambassadors have shown their capability in spreading awareness of water conservation issues in their schools and wider communities.

Speaking at the awards was Green-Schools Manager Cathy Baxter: “Thank you so much to all our fabulous participating students and teachers who have achieved such impressive results on the Water theme this year. We’re particularly excited about the Water Ambassador Programme – well done to all our Ambassadors! We look forward to continuing to work with you all in the future.”

Speaking at the awards Jerry Grant, Acting Managing Director at Irish Water said “Irish Water is delighted to be supporting the Green-Schools Water programme for a third year. The success the students have achieved in reducing their school’s water usage and raising awareness about water issues highlights how important it is to learn about the value of water and water conservation from a young age.” He added, “I would like to congratulate all those who entered the awards, they should be very proud of their achievements.”

Winners: Green-Schools Water School of the Year Awards

Overall Winners

  • Eastern Midlands Primary: Greystones Educate Together National School, Co. Wicklow
  • Ulster Connaught Secondary: Seamount College, Kinvara, Co. Galway

Dublin region:

  • Dublin primary winner: Ranelagh Multi-Denominational School, Dublin 6
  • Dublin Secondary: St. Aidan’s Community School, Tallaght

Southern Region:

  • Southern primary: CBS Primary School Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny
  • Southern secondary: Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary

Ulster Connaught Region: 

  • Ulster Connaught Primary: The Vale National School (aka St. Felim’s NS), Bailieborough, Cavan

Eastern Midlands Region:

  • Eastern Midlands Secondary: St. Aloysius College, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

Green-Schools Water Ambassadors:

  • Brendan Ngandu from St. Mary’s Diocesan School in Louth
  • Erin Flaherty-White from Galway Community College
  • Leanne Donegan and Constance Quinlan from Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
  • Jane Myers and Rachel Phelan from Presentation Secondary School, Waterford

Winners of this year’s Green-Schools Irish Water Poster Competition 2016:

Junior Primary (Infants – 2nd class)

  • Overall Winner: Calan Murphy, Donabate Portrane Educate Together NS
  • Eastern Midlands Regional Winner: Rachel Walsh, Melview National School, Longford
  • Southern Regional Winner: Holly McCoy, Summercove National School, Cork
  • Ulster Connaught Regional Winner: Aodh Mac Mahúna Scoil Rois, Monaghan

Senior Primary (3rd – 6th class)

  • Overall Winner: Ríona Furlong, Scoil Iosagáin, Wexford
  • Eastern Midlands Regional Winner: Marta Barwik, St. Patrick’s NS
  • Dublin Regional Winner: Mallaidh Ryan,  Rathfarnham Educate Together National School
  • Ulster Connaught Regional Winner: Maria Dignam, Glanduff NS

Secondary

  • Overall Winner 2016: Sinéad Tattan, Holy Child Secondary School, Killiney
  • Eastern Midlands Regional Winner: Sophie Newman, Ardee Community School
  • Southern Regional Winner: John Carey, Coláiste Dún Iascaigh, Cahir, Co. Tipperary
  • Ulster Connaught Regional Winner: Kasia Zarzycka, Mercy College, Galway