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Third Green Flag for Huntstown

May 13th was a green letter day for the Sacred Heart of Jesus National School in Huntstown when the Mayor of Fingal presented the school with its third green flag in recognition of the school’s work in the conservation of water.

As this represented two years work by the whole school, it was only fitting that the entire school population should gather in the P.E. hall to see the school receive the award from the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Ciarán Byrne. The Huntstown green school committee with their green flag

School principal Sean Dempsey also presented pupils with a special certificate on behalf of Concern, thanking the students for their fundraising efforts as part of their water conservation project. Children had contributed coins to a ‘wishing well’ during water week and over €300 was raised which was used to purchase three hand-operated water pumps for African villages.

“I am very proud of all the children, staff and wider community for achieving a third green flag,” said Mr. Dempsey. “Very few schools can boast of such an achievement. The school has recently been insulated to a very high standard and in an effort to further conserve water, toilets and sinks in the old building will be replaced with more environmentally efficient models under the Summer Works Scheme.”

He also announced that the school was looking into ways of harvesting rainwater from the school roof for re-use in the school’s toilet flushing systems.

Since receiving its second green flag in May 2008 for the children’s work to reduce energy consumption, the school has focussed on the theme of water conservation. By developing a water management plan and promoting good water conservation practices, the school has significantly reduced its water usage.

“Based on last year’s figures, the school is now saving an average of 3,000 litres of water every day,” said Mr. Dempsey. “These savings will prove particularly valuable with the introduction of usage-based water charges this year.”

The process by which these savings were achieved involved the whole school community and in particular the pupils guided by Ms. Aoife Lucey, Ms. Aideen Scannell and the tireless Green Team.

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