Sustainability Policy
Saint Patrick's Boys National School Sustainability Policy
Introduction:
Saint Patrick's Boys National School in Blackrock is dedicated to fostering an environmentally responsible and sustainable school community. As an active participant in An Taisce's Green Schools programme, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact, promoting sustainability, and encouraging the active participation of our students, staff, and local community in this mission.
Through the Green Schools programme, we have successfully achieved four flags for Litter and Waste, Energy, Water, and Travel, and we are currently working towards our 5th flag for Biodiversity. Our school garden is a key part of our efforts to engage with the local environment and enhance our biodiversity initiatives.
This policy outlines our commitment to sustainability and the specific actions we are taking to continue improving our environmental practices, both within the school and the broader community.
Objectives:
- To continue our participation in the Green Schools programme and work towards our 5th flag for Biodiversity.
- To reduce our ecological footprint by adopting sustainable practices in waste management, energy usage, water conservation, and transport.
- To involve students in practical, hands-on sustainability projects, such as our school garden, to enhance their understanding of environmental issues.
- To ensure that sustainability is integrated into the school curriculum, fostering a sense of responsibility and stewardship for the environment.
- To engage the school community, including parents, staff, and local organizations, in sustainability efforts.
Key Areas of Focus:
- Litter and Waste:
- As a recipient of the Litter and Waste flag, Saint Patrick's Boys National School is committed to reducing waste across all areas of school life.
- We actively encourage the children to bring home their lunch waste and dispose of it in a responsible manner.
- We will continue to promote recycling, reusing, and reducing materials, encouraging students to use sustainable alternatives and reduce single-use plastics.
- Waste audits will be conducted regularly by our Green Schools committee to monitor waste reduction and improve recycling efforts within the school.
- Our schools is an active participant in the Voice Ireland, ‘Picker Pals’ litter awareness programme that encourages the children to protect and care for their local community.
- Energy Conservation:
- Building on our Energy flag achievement, we will continue to promote energy-saving practices, such as switching off lights and devices when not in use.
- We are currently in the process of upgrading our electrical infrastructure to one that includes more energy-efficient appliances and lighting.
- The school has installed renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to further reduce our energy consumption.
- Water Conservation:
- We have already earned the Water flag, and will continue to promote water-saving measures throughout the school.
- This includes the use of low-flow taps and toilets, and encouraging students to conserve water through their daily habits.
- Educational activities will highlight the importance of water conservation and the global challenges related to water scarcity.
- Sustainable Travel:
- As part of our Travel flag initiatives, we encourage students and their families to adopt sustainable travel practices, such as walking, cycling, or carpooling to school.
- The school will continue to promote safe and active travel through events like Bike Week and walking initiatives such as ‘Walk on Wednesday’ which enourages the parents and students to walk the short distance from our local church to school under the supervision of staff and the Green School’s Committee.
- We will work with the local community and DLR County Council to improve accessibility for walking and cycling to the school.
- Biodiversity and the School Garden:
- Saint Patrick's Boys National School is currently working towards our fifth Green Schools flag for Biodiversity. This includes creating and maintaining our school garden, which serves as a valuable educational resource for students to learn about ecosystems, plant growth, and biodiversity.
- Students will be involved in planting, maintaining, and harvesting crops, learning about the role of biodiversity in sustaining the environment.
- We have created and nurtured natural areas in the school by planting native hedgerows, trees and shrubs that provide habitats for our native wildlife.
- The school garden will be used for hands-on lessons in sustainability, and students will be encouraged to take action to protect local wildlife and improve biodiversity in the local area.
Actions and Strategies:
- Green Schools Committee: The Green Schools Committee, made up of students, staff, and parents, will continue to lead sustainability initiatives across the school. This committee will monitor progress, plan events, and evaluate the success of various sustainability projects.
- Educational Integration: Sustainability will continue to be integrated into the curriculum across subjects, including Science, Geography, and Social Studies. Students will learn about the impact of human activity on the environment and how they can contribute to positive change.
- Community Engagement: The school will collaborate with parents, local businesses, and community organizations to share knowledge and resources. We will encourage everyone in the school community to contribute ideas and support sustainability efforts.
- Sustainability in Action: We will organize regular activities such as litter clean-ups, tree planting, and environmental awareness days, where students can actively engage in environmental stewardship.
Commitment:
Saint Patrick's Boys National School is committed to continuing our journey towards sustainability. Through the efforts of our students, staff, and community, we will work to protect the environment and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. We believe that by making small, meaningful changes, we can have a positive impact on the world around us.
Review:
This policy will be reviewed annually by the Green Schools Committee to ensure that we are meeting our sustainability goals and progressing towards our next Green Flag achievement.
Conclusion:
Saint Patrick’s Boys National School is proud to be an active participant in the Green Schools programme, and we will continue to work towards a greener, more sustainable future. By fostering environmental awareness and responsibility in our students, we hope to inspire them to become lifelong advocates for the planet.
Chairperson of the Board of Management