Write a commentMayor Dáire Hughes held a reception at Council Offices for Newry and Mourne schools who have recently received their first Eco Schools’ Green Flag.
Pupils and teachers from Cloghogue Primary School, St Laurence O’Toole’s Primary School Belleeks, St Colman’s Primary School Saval, St Patrick’s Primary School Cullyhanna and St Bronagh’s Primary School Rostrevor joined Mayor Hughes in the Council Boardroom to celebrate their achievement.
Speaking to pupils and staff Mayor Hughes said “This is a tremendous achievement by all concerned. I would like to especially congratulate the Eco Committees from each school some of whom are here today. I am delighted that your hard work has paid off. You can now proudly fly your green flag so anyone who visits your schools will know you are making a big effort to protect the environment”.
Carmel Fyfe, Eco-Schools Manager, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, who also attended the reception, said “Congratulations to the schools on all their great work. The Eco-Schools Green Flag is the highest award that an Eco-School can achieve. It is wonderful to see more and more schools successfully achieving the prestigious internationally-recognised Green Flag award and demonstrating excellence in making environmental awareness and action central to the ethos of their school. There are now 59 countries and over 14 million pupils involved in the programme worldwide so it is fantastic to see local schools excelling in such a prestigious international programme. It is clear to see that young people in Newry and Mourne care deeply about the environment and through their Eco-Schools work are making a positive change to their wider communities. We are delighted to be supported by Newry and Mourne District Council whose support of the programme is helping schools make a real difference to their local environment which is great news for everyone in the district.”
Schools in the Newry and Mourne District Council area have an excellent track record in the Eco Schools Programme with seventy seven schools registered. Twenty seven already hold the bronze award, thirteen the silver award and twenty four schools now have the highest award of a Green Flag.
A number of the District’s Green Flag schools have also done their area proud, both nationally and internationally. Holy Cross Primary School, Attical recently came joint first in the Foundation for Environmental Education’s student-led World Days of Action Competition.
For further details of the Eco Schools programme visit www.eco-schoolsni.org.uk
