PRESS RELEASE ISSUED: 26^th May 2010

Energy Flag for St. Mary’s NS, Bancroft

St. Mary’s NS Bancroft Avenue celebrated the achievement of their second Green Flag for Energy last Friday. Mayor of South Dublin County, Councillor Mick Duff was on hand to help the Green School raise their flag for all to see.

To achieve the flag the Green Schools Committee directed energy saving actions and awareness campaigns in the school such as the “Switch It Off” campaign to ensure the efficient use of doors, windows, blinds, radiators to conserve energy which were checked by the “Energy Monitors”. Other improvements that helped save energy included installing the most efficient cfl lighting and insulation during the Summer Works at the school last year, mending radiator caps, repairing blinds repaired and plugging draughts. The school also held a Low Energy Day when a 50% reduction in electricity was observed and 25% reduction in heat.

The school also made impressive links with the wider community to spread the Green Schools message. The Green Schools Committee contacted nearby Westpark Fitness Centre and carried out an assessment on energy use at the gym. They made recommendations on how energy could be used more efficiently and entered and won An Taisce’s Green-Schools Energy Project which was sponsored by ESB Independent Energy which had entries from Green Schools all over Ireland.  Congratulations on winning the competition and €4000 prize money!

To date 60 schools in South Dublin County fly the Green Flag. Nationally over 3,100 primary, secondary and special schools in Ireland are currently taking part in the programme and 1,465 have been awarded the Green Flag.

For further information contact Claire Hinch, Environmental Awareness Section, South Dublin County Council chinch@sdublincoco.ie