We were delighted to welcome our Green-Schools assessor to Scoil na mBuachaillí, Clonakilty for our 8th Green Flag renewal visit, focusing on the theme of Global Citizenship – Marine Environment.
We would like to express our deepest appreciation to our Green-Schools Coordinator, Niamh Mac Auley, whose tireless dedication, exceptional organisation, and passion are at the heart of everything achieved. Through her leadership of a large and committed Green-Schools Committee, she has empowered the boys to lead, take ownership, and truly drive this work forward 👏
This visit marked an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to environmental awareness and sustainability. It provided an opportunity to reflect on the extensive work carried out by pupils and staff, and to celebrate the meaningful actions taken to protect our oceans and promote global responsibility.
The day began with a warm and enthusiastic welcome from our Green-Schools Committee. The boys confidently presented a comprehensive overview of our journey, explaining how we carried out a detailed Marine Environment Review. This included surveys of pupils’ knowledge and attitudes, audits of waste (particularly plastic), and an examination of how everyday school activities impact the environment. From this, the committee identified key issues such as single-use plastics, litter management, marine pollution, and the impact of microplastics on ocean life.
Using this information, the pupils developed a clear and structured Action Plan with specific, measurable targets. These included reducing plastic waste in lunchboxes, increasing awareness of marine issues across all classes, and improving recycling practices. Progress was carefully monitored through regular waste audits, class check-ins, and data tracking, allowing the committee to evaluate success and adapt their approach where necessary.
A central focus of our work has been reducing single-use plastics within the school. Pupils led a number of initiatives, including:
- A Re-turn campaign encouraging the recycling of bottles and cans through the deposit return scheme
- Weekly litter and waste surveys around the school grounds
- Awareness posters and presentations highlighting the journey of plastic from land to sea
- Class discussions on how small daily choices can have a global impact
These actions were supported by clear data collection, with pupils able to show measurable reductions in plastic waste over time and improved recycling habits throughout the school.
Creative, cross-curricular learning was a key strength of this theme. Pupils explored topics such as:
- Marine biodiversity and ocean food chains
- The effects of climate change and rising sea levels
- The problem of microplastics in marine ecosystems
- The importance of protecting habitats such as coral reefs and coastal environments
This learning was brought to life through artwork, project displays, models, and written reports, many of which were showcased around the school during the visit. The assessor noted how these displays reinforced learning and demonstrated pupil engagement.
Communication and community involvement were also central to our success. The Green-Schools Committee ensured that messages were shared through:
- School assemblies and announcements
- Visits to classrooms to update and educate younger pupils
- Clearly maintained Green-Schools noticeboards
- Encouraging families to adopt more sustainable habits at home
Strong links were made to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 14: Life Below Water, helping pupils to understand how their local actions connect to global environmental challenges.
A particularly memorable aspect of the visit was our school chickens. They play a valuable role in reducing food waste and supporting learning about sustainability, responsibility, and natural cycles. Pupils are actively involved in feeding and caring for them, and they are a much-loved feature of school life. We were proud to present some of our fresh eggs as a token of appreciation.
We would like to sincerely thank Siobhán Hughes, Green-Schools Officer, who was very impressed by the pupils’ knowledge, confidence, and commitment. She especially noted the care shown towards the chickens and was very appreciative of both the eggs and the warm welcome she received.
The assessor also highlighted the strong whole-school approach, with sustainability clearly embedded in everyday routines and visible across all classrooms. The leadership shown by the Green-Schools Committee, along with the enthusiasm of all pupils, was highly commended.
Overall, the visit was a very positive and affirming experience. It celebrated the hard work, creativity, and dedication of our pupils, supported by committed staff and an engaged school community.
We are extremely proud of this achievement and remain committed to continuing our Green-Schools journey—working together as informed, responsible global citizens to protect our marine environment now and into the future.
