Write a commentAt one of his final duties as Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council, Councillor John Feehan, hosted a ceremony at the Council Offices to present three local schools with their prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag awards.
St Colman’s College and St Malachy’s Nursery School, Newry achieved the accolade for the first time. St Colman’s and St Malachy’s are also the first secondary school and nursery school in the district to be awarded Green Flags. St Joseph’s Primary Bessbrook successfully renewed their Green Flag status this year after being first time award winners last year.
Councillor Feehan speaking to the teachers and pupils attending the presentation ceremony said “This is a tremendous achievement. The Green Flag award is internationally recognised and only obtained by those schools who have reached the highest of environmental standards”.
“Well done to all the staff and pupils whose dedication has resulted in these awards. A special word of congratulations to the members of the Eco Committees present here today. You have taken the lead by making sure that your school cares about the environment and puts in place sound environmental practices.” he added.
Colin Latham, the Northern Ireland Eco-Schools Manager, stated “There is tremendous momentum for the eco schools award scheme being created in the Newry and Mourne District Council area. We have built on the five green flag primary schools awarded last year and now have the first nursery and secondary schools proudly flying their flags. All of these schools are an excellent example of what Eco-Schools is all about. The schools, teachers, pupils and staff deserve congratulations for all their efforts and also the Council for helping to promote the scheme locally.”
