Green-Schools is Ireland’s leading environmental management and education programme for schools. Promoting long-term, whole-school action for the environment Green-Schools is a student-led programme with involvement from the wider community. The programme is operated and co-ordinated by the environmental Education Unit of An Taisce. Derryquay N.S. is very proud to have been involved in the Green Schools Awards Programme since 2007 and has been awarded four green flags for

• Recycling & Waste

• Energy

• Water

• Transport

We are a very active green school. Here are some of the other ways that we work to make our world a more sustainable place to live in

• Reduce, recycle and reuse waste where possible.

• Equip classrooms with recycling, compost and general waste bins.

• Minimise the use of paper in the school as much as possible.

• Conserve water and heat.

• Students take responsibility for all lunch packaging, bottles and reuse them.

• Recycle batteries and mobile phones.

• Organise two recycling events in school during the year.

• Provide high-vis jackets to all pupils.

• Invite external speakers to discuss environmental issues or concerns.

• Grow vegetables in our school garden.

• Support local community council initiatives in cleaning up our local beach.

Our aim as a Green School is to teach the children to respect their environment and to hopefully put into practice as adults what they have learned in school.

Biodiversity is the fifth Green-Schools theme and looks at steps which can be taken to increase awareness of the importance of native plants, animals and habitats, and to increase species-richness in a locality.