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St Patrick's Primary School, Hilltown
 

Eco Schools

 

Eco–schools is an international award programme that guides schools through a process to help them address a variety of environmental issues, ranging from litter and waste to healthy living and biodiversity. To educate and empower young people to make positive decisions and become change makers for an environmentally sustainable world. It aims to create environmental awareness and action and embed these as part of the ethos of school life.

At St Patrick’s we are proud to have achieved the Eco-Schools Green Flag which is awarded to schools with high achievement in their efforts, four times: 2024, 2022, 2020 and 2018. Our Eco Committee are easily recognisable as they wear their Eco Council Badges with pride!

Eco Committee

Who can be a member of the School’s Council/ Eco Committee? 

We have an active Eco Council with pupils representing their classes from Primary 4 to Primary 7 assisted by Mrs Austin.  Our team members remain in place for two years to help share their knowledge and follow through with our two yearly Eco Plan. At the start of each school year, one new pupil from each class is given the opportunity to join our team. They create speeches/presentations and are voted for by their classmates.

The Eco–Committee is responsible for preparing an Action Plan for the whole school to engage in. The children organise regular meetings to discuss environmental action for the school.

Here are some of the actions we have taken to achieve our Green Flag Status:

  • Achieved Silver in the Sustrans Scheme- Transport Surveys, Walk to School Campaigns
  • Global Citizenship- We are a NSPCC Right’s Respecting School!
  • Paths Programme- to Help Aid our Mental Health
  • Composting Food Waste- brown food bins across all the Classrooms and Staff Room emptied daily by Eco Team
  • Recycling bins in staffroom, beside photocopiers and in classrooms
  • Litter picks, Half Termly
  • Energy Enforcers- switching off electronics not needed
  • Highlighted environmental issues
  • Take part in poster campaigns
  • Outdoor Learning
  • Healthy Living- Planting and growing, Daily Mile Campaign
  • Reduction in Waste- Less Photocopying
  • Class and Whole School Assemblies
  • Biodiversity- Bug Hotel, Hedgehog House
  • Talks from Outside Agencies- NI Water Board, Litter Less Campaign