Green Schools - Water School of the Year

04 May, 2017

Midleton CBS Secondary school were announced as the National and the Southern Region Water School of the Year 2017 at the Green School’s water awards in Dublin last Thursday. This award was presented for ‘outstanding achievement in improving the environmental quality of the school and the community’.

Mr. Chris Melnyk, Calvin Buckley, Mr. Michael John O Mahoney (An Taisce), James McCarthy, Mr. Eamon Gallen (Irish Water), Ross Cahill and Mr. Brendan Wall

The Green Schools committee and TY students worked for the last two years on this their third green flag having successfully achieved their Litter & Waste and Energy green flags.
This April eleven Transition year students participated in the Walk for Water in Gouganne Barra, raising awareness of the scarcity of water in Africa. The TY Green Schools Module set up a small rainwater harvesting butt on a garden shed which is used to water the plants, vegetables and fruits in the school’s polytunnel. They also raised awareness through a poster campaign in the school.
The group also conducted water conservation surveys and previously helped with the National Spring Clean in conjunction with Midleton Tidy Towns. This month they have further clean ups planned.
Planning for this theme started many years ago during consultations with the architects for the inclusion of a rainwater harvesting tank into the new extension. The rainwater tank supplies all the school’s toilets and with the activities of the students and staff has resulted in a 26% reduction in mains water use even with a 250% increase in floor area and 10% increase in the school population.

TY Students Calvin Buckley, James McCarthy and Ross Cahill celebrating the National Water School of the Year Award.

 

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