09 June, 2006 - Fourth Green Flag for Scoil Naisiúnta Muire gan Smál, Ballinasloe

I want to acknowledge the superb work and effort which has gone into maintaining your Green-Schools status - Minister de Valera

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Síle de Valera, T.D., today awarded a fourth Green Flag to Scoil Naisiúnta Muire gan Smál, Creagh, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.  

Speaking at the presentation of the award, Minister de Valera said, 'I know that this school has a long tradition of focussing on the local environment.  Even prior to your involvement in the Green Schools Programme, you were conscious of your environment and I congratulate you for this'. Now in its eighth year of participation, the school is receiving its fourth Green Flag. 

Scoil Muire gan Smál was one of the first schools in the country to acquire the Green Flag for its commitment to environmental awareness and protection.  'I want to acknowledge the superb work and effort which has gone into maintaining your Green-Schools status.  This school has a lot to be proud of.  Apart from receiving your fourth Green Flag, I understand your school has also received awards in the Esso Wildlife Challenge, a National Children's Print Media Award for your publication of 'The Creagh Times' and a Media and Multicultural Award for the best Multicultural Institution.  You have also enjoyed success in many sports and quizzes.  You have quite a reputation' said Minister de Valera.

In the course of the last eight years, pupils in Scoil Muire gan Smál have addressed the themes of Litter, Waste, Energy and Water. Lately the pupils have focussed on water usage in the school and classroom-based research has yielded very interesting results. The pupils now have a strategic action plan in place which aims to reduce the level of water wastage throughout the school. Minister de Valera said 'it is important for everyone to realise that as participants in the Green-Schools programme you are working with hundreds of thousands of other children across the world on issues of environmental care.  In Ireland, when each one of you makes a personal effort to manage litter and waste appropriately or to conserve energy and electricity, your efforts are combined with the efforts of children in more than 2000 other schools around the country.'

Minister de Valera concluded by congratulating all those involved in the Green-Schools programme at local level and said 'this is a symbol of your school's achievement in heightening awareness of environmental issues.  Responsibility lies with you, the adults of the future, to care for the world in which we live and to ensure that its beauty and richness is preserved for the many generations to come.  It is an achievement to receive one Green Flag but to receive four shows true commitment. I hope you continue to keep up the good work.  Well done.'

End