Rush National School gets a green flag in recognition of its efforts to protect the environment.
Over a quarter of all schools in the country are participating in the Green Schools Programme. Designed to make young people more aware of the environment to date over 150 schools in Ireland have been awarded a green flag. One Dublin school was awarded their flag in March.
Rush National School is just one of a number of schools in the country proudly displaying a green flag.
The green flag indicates a commitment to protecting the environment. The flag itself depicts a tree and a book representing growth and learning. In order to achieve a green flag, a Green Schools' Committee has to be established by teachers and parents and includes a student representative from third class to sixth class. Pupil Joey Kelly explains that following a weekly recycling programme, the school eventually attained a green flag. Ciarán Daly outlines how they have been recycling everything from newspapers to ink cartridges. The focus was on litter, waste management and recycling.
Pupils who have completed the Green Schools' Programme have a very positive attitude towards the environment.
When a school gets a green flag, pupils have to keep up the good work in order to keep the flag. Andréa Murphy and Jenny Flanagan outline the work involved in keeping the flag and plans for the future which includes a new energy saving programme.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 2 May 2003.
