Sustainable School Project
('Greening' the School)
Newsletter March 2000
Environment Week
Friday 3rd March - Green Flag Programme Launch (12.15pm)
Friday 3rd – Thursday 9th March - School Waste Audit
Wednesday 8th March - Cork Corporation Environmental Talks
Thursday 9th March – "All That’s Green" Shop (Stall 1-3pm)
Friday 10th March – Wormery Launch (To Be Confirmed!)
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Waste and Composting Group report
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Energy and Resources Group report
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Garden Group report
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Interior / Exterior Design Group report
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Craft Group report
Next meeting of the SSP group is Wed 22nd March, 8pm, Dennehys Bar, CoalQuay.
(Printed on unbleached, 100% recycled paper)
The project has four primary objectives which are; to increase environmental awareness in the school, to enhance the living environment of the school, to enhance the physical environment of the school, to reduce the environmental impact of the school.
SSP Environment Week
The school will be launching it’s Green Flag Programme on Friday 3rd March, members of Cork Corporation, who co-ordinate the programme, will be attending the launch, and presenting information to the school. The Green Flag programme is part of the Corporation’s Waste Management Plan, and will involve the school, in measuring it’s own waste, evaluating and initiating a waste reduction strategy, and submitting a report (written by the students) on the effectiveness of the strategy.
During the week, it is planned that all classes will separate and measure their waste. (Paper, Food Stuffs, Plastic etc…), and the total for the school (including the staff room and office!!) will be determined by the students.
On Wednesday 8th March, a member of the Environmental Dept. of the Corporation will visit the school during the week and give presentations to a number of the classes, about waste and related issues.
On Thursday 9th March, the "All That’s Green Shop", based in Kinsale, will visit the school, giving demonstrations to some of the classes of eco-friendly products (Clockwork radios, recycled biros, solar panels, and waste paper log making). It is planned that a stall will be set up in the school where parents can come and see the products.
On Fri. 10th March it is hoped that the Irish Earthworm Company, based in Bandon, will visit the school, and start the installation and training! programme for the school’s wormery. The school population will be somewhat increased by the 50,000 earthworms who will take up residence in the wormery!!! CSP is only the 2nd school in the county to have been given funding for a wormery.
Waste and Composting Group report
The group has successfully applied for and obtained £700 from the Corporation for the purchase of the wormery, following a very enlightening visit to the wormery already operating at Scoil Eoin, Ballincollig. The wormery will be capable of ‘recycling’ all of the organic (food stuff), and most of the paper waste from the school.
Volunteers will be most welcome to help keep the worms fed and happy throughout the year.
Energy and Resources Group report
The Material use, Energy and Recycling group will be examining ways to minimise the impact of the school and its staff, students and parents on our environmental resources.
We will be investigating the usage of natural resources and the production of waste from the school's activities and using the principles of AVOID, REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE to minimise these impacts.
School energy use will also be explored to help reduce costs, reduce usage of a limited resource and minimise the impact on our environment. We will contribute to raising awareness of environmental matters among our students, which will benefit them throughout their lives.
Garden Group report
Calling all "budding" gardeners. We want your spare pots, bulbs and seeds, so don’t throw anything away. We will arrange a collection at a later date, watch this space. We are hoping to bring some of the country into our city school, with hanging baskets and green areas.
Interior / Exterior Design Group report
As a group (which has loads of room for expansion), we hope we can add a dash of colour and fun to the school environment. We are planning to make small beginnings in the yard, and look forward to involving children, parents and staff in this process. In tandem with the gardening group we hope to develop the Grounds and Gardens!
Craft Group report
The craft group has yet to meet, but two ideas have already been suggested. The first is that the children will be asked to collect any clean, cotton clothing which is no longer wearable. The material will be shredded and then the students will be assisted in weaving the cloth into wall-hangings and rag-rugs to decorate the school or take home. The second is that a fleece will be brought to the school, and different classes will be involved in preparing the fleece, carding, spinning the yarn, and knitting with the finished product
Parental Help
If you are interested in any aspect of these projects, and would be willing to help in any way, either by sharing skills and experience that you have, or by working directly on the actions themselves, please contact Chris Gibbons 021-311803, or Teresa Connolly. All ideas / suggestions are most welcome from students, teachers, parents, guardians and friends.
Next: Wormery Report