Welcome to the Scoil Naomh Bárra Green Schools Initiative!
Green Schools 2020/2022
Welcome to our Green Schools page.
We are active in the Green Schools Initiative and currently have four flags as follows:
- Litter/Waste & Recycling
- Energy
- Water
- Travel
We are currently working on achieving our 5th flag – Biodiversity. Biodiversity is all about plants and animals.
Our ultimate aim is to make students, parents and teachers aware of the importance of Biodiversity in our world.
Biodiversity is so important that 2011-2020 was declared the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, has this to say.
“Biodiversity underpins the functioning of the ecosystems on which we depend for food and fresh water, health and recreation, and protection from natural disasters. Its loss also affects us culturally and spiritually. This may be more difficult to quantify, but it is nonetheless integral to our wellbeing“.
Step 1: Green Schools Committee
1st Class: Orán Doughty and Neasa Donohue
2nd Class: Erin Coughlan and Corey Gorman
3rd Class: Ellie Carolan and Robert McKeown
4th Class: Evan Kenny and Caoimhe Oakes
5th Class: Ella McKenna and Darren McGarry
6th Class: Ruby Finegan and Gary Murphy
Step 2: Environmental Review – Biodiversity Awareness Survey
Biodiversity Awareness Survey 2020
Biodiversity Awareness Survey 2021
Step: 3 Action Plan
Step 4: Monitoring and Evaluation
The Flora and Fauna Survey and the Biodiversity Survey were completed again in November 2021. Although we have missed a lot of time in school, it was great to see our previous results had increased.
Step 5: Curriculum Work
Class Activities – Samples – 2020-2021
Step 6: Informing and Involving
Green Schools Noticeboard – check it out for updates throughout the year!!
Top Ten Tips for our Parents:
- Use paper straws or no straws! – plastic straws are polluters and can be harmful to animals.
- Buy loose fruit and vegetables.
- Avoid buying products containing palm oil – palm oil production is harming the planet, animals and people.
- Leave no trace – recycle your waste!
- Upcycle – use something old to make something new.
- Have one plastic bottle and lunchbox to re-use.
- Use natural remedies instead of chemicals.
- Walk, cycle or carpool.
- Bring your own re-usable bag for shopping.
- Look out for bird’s nests around your home – don’t disturb them!
Step 7: Green Code
We had the great challenge of coming up with a new green code relating to biodiversity. It was tricky as we wanted something short, smart and catchy. Once all the entries were submitted, the winning green code was chosen. Well done – it is super!
Our Biodiversity Slogan
Biodiversity needs saving so do your part
plant a daisy!
National Tree Day 2021
We celebrated National Tree Day on Thursday October 7th 2021. All classes took part in a variety of activities. Below are some photos and a video of Junior Infants planting a cherry tree in the sensory garden.
National Tree Day – More Art from 2nd Class
National Tree Day – Milk Carton-Container Painting
National Tree Day – 2nd Class Painting
National Tree Day – 2nd Class – Painting
National Tree Day – 2nd Class Painting
National Tree Day – Outdoor Research
National Tree Day – More Outdoor Research
National Tree Day – More Classroom Work
National Tree Day – Even More Outdoor Research
National Tree Day – Even More Classroom Work
National Tree Day – Display
