Welcome from the Green School Committee
We are delighted to introduce our new Green School Committee for this year! Our team is excited to get started and to continue building on the great environmental work already happening in our school.
This year, one of our main goals is renewing our Green School Flag, and we are already making fantastic progress. We have our litter pickers helping around the school, we have begun our Green School Statement review, and we are in the process of getting new recycling, battery, compost, and waste bins to help improve how we manage our waste and protect our environment.
As the year goes on, we will also be introducing new initiatives and projects that everyone can get involved in – from reducing waste and saving energy to protecting nature and making our school an even greener place to learn and grow. We believe that small actions can make a big difference, and together we can create lasting positive change.
We are really looking forward to seeing what the rest of the year holds and working with the whole school community to make our school greener, cleaner, and more sustainable for everyone.
Update March 2026
Our Green School Committee has been very busy over the past number of weeks as we continue working towards renewing our Green School Flag. It has been fantastic to see such enthusiasm and involvement from pupils and staff across the whole school.
We began by reviewing and updating our Green School Statement, ensuring it reflects our current goals and commitment to caring for our environment. Alongside this, we introduced a whole school Daily Swaps Challenge, encouraging small but meaningful changes such as using reusable bottles, reducing waste, and switching off lights when not in use.
Our litter picking rota is now back up and running, with classes taking turns to help keep our school grounds clean and tidy. We have also ensured that every classroom is equipped with recycling (green) bins and general waste (black) bins, helping everyone to dispose of waste correctly.
The committee has carried out waste audits to identify what we are doing well and where we can improve. As a result, we are currently rolling out and reestablishing our composting system to reduce food waste as well as battery boxes being rehomed around the school.
In addition, we have updated our Green School signage throughout the building to promote awareness and support positive habits. Pupils have been actively involved in campaigns, discussions, and activities, helping to build a strong sense of environmental responsibility.
We are very proud of the progress made so far and look forward to continuing our efforts throughout the year. Together, we are working to make our school a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable place for everyone.
An Taisce Spring Clean – April 22nd
To mark both An Taisce’s National Spring Clean anti-litter campaign and Earth Day, our school took part in a community clean-up to help care for our local environment, protect wildlife, and take pride in our surroundings. With generous support from Dublin City Council, who provided bags and high-visibility vests, pupils and staff set out in great spirits – helped by the welcome sunshine! We covered areas including the senior and junior school grounds, Millbourne Avenue, and Griffith Park, making a real difference to our community. It was a fantastic day enjoyed by all – see the video for a glimpse into the day!
Green Schools Flag Renewal – Global Citizenship: Litter & Waste
We are absolutely delighted to share that St. Patrick’s NS has been awarded the renewal of our Green Schools Flag for the theme Global Citizenship: Litter & Waste. We proudly received our flag on May 19th, marking a wonderful achievement for our entire school community.
Over the past while, both students and staff have shown outstanding commitment to making our school a greener, more sustainable place. Through a wide range of initiatives – including community spring clean days, daily swaps to reduce waste, can returns, the use of compost bins, and regular litter picking – we have worked together to promote environmental responsibility within our school and the wider community.
Our Green Schools Committee has played a central role in leading this work. Their dedication, teamwork, and enthusiasm have helped to drive positive change and ensure that sustainability remains a key focus in our school, both now and for the future.
We were honoured to be invited to attend the Green Schools Awards Ceremony, where two members of our committee proudly represented St. Patrick’s NS and accepted our new Green Flag on behalf of the school. This flag will be displayed proudly outside our school as a symbol of the collective effort and commitment of our entire school community.
This achievement reflects not only the hard work within the classroom, but also the support and involvement of families and the local community. By encouraging small, everyday actions, we are helping our students to develop lifelong habits that contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet.
Well done to everyone involved, and thank you to all who supported our efforts throughout the year. We look forward to continuing our journey towards a more sustainable future.
