Local Schools Awarded International Green Flag Accreditation

Thirty four schools across Newry Mourne and Down have been awarded a prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag by environmental charity Live Here Love Here. Across Northern Ireland, 288 schools received Green Flags, taking the total number to 593.

Achieving a Green Flag requires schools to participate in a challenging seven stage programme, beginning with the establishment of a pupil-led Eco-Committee and leading to the development of a school Eco-Code. Schools fly their flags for two years before they must reapply.

Ballyholland Primary School was awarded the Eco-School of the year award for the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, sponsored by Learn Play Nexus.

Una Downey from St Bronagh’s Primary School in Rostrevor was awarded the Eco-Teacher of the year title, with the Eco-Pupil of the year award won by Molly from Hilltown’s St Patrick’s Primary School. Both awards were sponsored by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

The awards were presented to schools at a ceremony at the St Patrick’s Centre in Downpatrick attended by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna.

Eco-Schools is the largest sustainability education movement in the world, with over 54,000 Eco-Schools worldwide. The programme is managed locally by the Live Here Love Here charity, supported by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and ten local councils.

Last year, Northern Ireland became only the second country in the Foundation for Environmental Education Eco-Schools network to achieve 50% of schools with Green Flag status.

Alice Buchanan, Environmental Education Manager at Live Here Love Here said, “The Green Flag Award ceremonies are a real highlight in the Live Here Love Here calendar. The passion, creativity and dedication of the teachers and pupils we support is truly inspirational, as evidenced by the standard of work this year.

“We are proud to be one of the first countries in the world to reach, and now surpass, 50% of schools with an Eco-Schools Green Flag. This achievement is a reflection that schools and young people see the value of environmental education. As we come to the end of this Assembly mandate and reform of the curriculum is being debated, environmental education should play a key role in the future.”

Cllr Hanna said, “I wish to congratulate everyone for the hard work which has led to the presentation of the Eco-Schools Green Flags. Eco-Schools is a pupil-led programme with the Eco Committee at its centre. Students are the driving force behind Eco-Schools and it’s thanks to each one of them and the excellent guidance from their teachers that their school can proudly fly the coveted Green Flag. Visitors to schools or passers-by who see the flag flying will know the school is taking positive action to take care of the environment.”

Cllr Hanna said it’s the valuable lessons students have learned by being part of the Eco-Schools Programme that will stay with them throughout life, enabling them to play their part in protecting the environment for future generations.