PRESS RELEASE

ST. MAELRUANS JNS RAISES ITS GREEN FLAG FOR ENERGY

St. Maelruans JNS Tallaght raised its second Green Flag for Energy on Thursday 26^th June 2008. Deputy Mayor of South Dublin County Cllr Eamonn Maloney attended the flag raising ceremony and he congratulated the staff and pupils at St. Maelruans JNS saying Well done to pupils and staff for achieving the green flag for energy. Remember to continue to recycle and save energy at home over the summer holidays.

To achieve the Green Flag for Energy the staff and pupils at St. Maelruans JNS have been conserving energy by keeping doors and windows closed, turning off lights when not in use and placing tin foil at rear of radiators to reflect the heat. The school also achieved a 55% reduction in paper by using small whiteboards for practicing writing instead of using individual pages and held a Low Energy Day during which a 24% reduction in energy was observed. A home energy audit was completed and results compiled to show how the message to conserve energy is being brought home. The school has a small Solar Panel and the power generated is used to power a battery charger. Pupils bring in rechargeable batteries from home, which are used to power their Wii and other computer games.

The Green Schools Committee is composed of pupils from all classes, staff (teachers, caretaker, special needs assistants), some parents, Mairead Ryan the Principal and Josephine McGrath the Green Schools Coordinator.

For further information contact Claire Hinch, Environmental Awareness Section

chinch@sdublincoco.ie

Date Issued 2^nd July 2008