Project News
A big congratulations to the entire school on winning the outdoor classroom worth over €4,000. This took a huge effort from all and after fighting off very stiff competition, we were delighted to get the call to inform us that we won. This will look well in our lovely Green School.

We are working hard on transport - any ideas out there, please let us know.

*********************************************************************************************************

Congrats to everyone who took part in our 'Safe Cycle Programme'.

Congrats also to everyone who took part in our ‘Cycle to School Day’. It was a massive success and will go a long way towards the renewal of our Green Flag for the fourth time! Mieke – the Green Schools Co-ordinator said she was ‘extremely impressed’ with our efforts and we would like to thank her for all her hard work and dedication also!

We here at Ardnagrath are very lucky to be one of the few schools to be chosen for a pilot programme on Travel.

As part of our Action Plan, we will set out our own Travel targets, with the ultimate aim of increasing the number of pupils walking, cycling or using public transport, which will ease congestion by reducing the number of private cars arriving at the school gates.

According to An Taisce:-

"By promoting sustainable transport modes (walking, cycling, car pooling or public transport), the schools will also improve pupils' safety, health and fitness. The journey to school is an ideal way for children to take part in regular physical activity, to interact with their peers, and to develop the road sense children need as pedestrians and cyclists. Alternative modes of transport also improve children's alertness, with 90% of teachers surveyed across England & Wales saying that walking, cycling or using public transport increased pupils' concentration levels in class. The schools will also lessen their overall impact on the environment, by reducing emissions and pollution."

We would, therefore, welcome any suggestions or ideas you may have to help us gain our next Green Flag.

Further details will be added to this website soon!

GREEN FLAG:
Congratulations to all! We are so pleased to inform you that our application for the renewal of the International Green Flag award has been successful.

According to An Taisce’s Green-Schools Evaluation Committee, they were “extremely impressed with our programme and had no hesitation in making their decision.” The Green Flag will be presented to the school at the Green Schools National Award ceremony on Thursday, 22 May in Dublin! Again, well done all – but remember to keep up the hard work both in school and at home!


NEW GARDEN:
Work is continuing on our new garden. Various plants, shrubs and trees have been added to it. It is really beginning to take shape.

Our powerpoint publisher, Kaman, is busy preparing a powerpoint presentation. This presentation will cover waste management, energy saving and in particular, water conservation. It will be shared with all the pupils in the school, as well as parents.

Work done so far this year!

Spring 2008 - We have created a new garden. Trellis has been erected along with some lovely wooden fencing. Stone raised herb and flower beds have been created and we intend to grow fruit trees and bushes, herbs, vegetables, flowers and roses in this area. We hope this will turn out to be a nice working area where we can truly appreciate the wonders of nature.

April 2008 - Noreen Givney from Westmeath County Council visited us to assess us for the Green Flag! We should hear about this in May.

Mar 2008 The smooth operators in 5th and 6th class made smoothies and fruit juices to raise funds for Trocaire. As well as this, they investigated fruit as an important source of water, looking at material and change – solid to liquid and capacity, and most importantly, the importance of healthy eating.

Mar 2008 Anna interviewed someone who was affected by water shortage to come to a greater understanding of what it is like to be without water.

Mar 2008 Paul gathered information on the effect water contamination had in Galway last year with a view to sharing it with the class.

Mar 2008 We placed 1 litre bottles of water in the toilet cisterns. By placing a 1 litre bottle of water in each cistern, we are saving 1 litre at each flush, that amounts to a lot of water! Per day!

Mar 2008 We sourced and installed two water harvesters. All pupils have now had a chance to see how this works.

Feb 2008 Flyers were created and sent home on how to conserve water both in the home and in the garden, to help raise awareness of the many ways we all can help in saving water. (Mr. Keane’s class)

Feb 2008 3d fruit was constructed and the % water content looked up as part of looking at other sources of water and healthy eating.

Jan 2008 Came up with ideas on conserving water.

Dec 2007 Miss Keena's class made some beautiful calendars. All with the theme of 'saving the polar bears'.

Oct 2007 Working in groups we discussed, water & the importance of saving water in countries where water is scarce, e.g. Africa and also saving water in Ireland We did an experiment: using condensation to make rain! (Miss Mullins’ Class)

Oct 2007 Looking at the importance of water, the earths supply of water, other sources of water, water conservation. (Ongoing)
We made a pie chart showing the amount of useable water available to us. (Mr. Keane’s class)

Oct 2007 An investigation as to where our water supply comes from, i.e. private or public system was carried out.

Sep 2007 An Investigation to see where we are possibly losing water was carried out. Two leaking taps were found and subsequently fixed.