St. Oliver's National School is a Green Flag School. The school has been awarded five green flags in recognition of our commitment to the environment and environmental education. The themes for our green flag awards have been recycling, water conservation, energy management and transport. The green flag is an international environmental awareness award coordinated by An Taisce on behalf of the Department of the Environment and Local Government.
St. Oliver's was also awarded first prize in the European Schools Aluminium Recycling Project in 2007,2008 and 2009.
In 2010 pupils in St. Oliver's completed a series of projects on Travel and Transport. The projects were the culmination of nearly two years of work, as students in all classes examined issues regarding sustainable transport. The pupils discussed, planned and implemented walking, cycling, carpooling and park and stride schemes with their classmates and teachers. The aims of the schemes are:
- To reduce the schools' carbon footprint.
- To promote exercise and healthy habit formation.
- To reduce traffic congestion.
The scheme has been coordinated by the Green Schools Committee. This committee is comprised of pupils from each class from 2nd -6th and is chaired by our Green Schools Co-Ordinator, Mrs. Juliette Kelly. The success of the scheme is based on the fantastic work of the entire school community, our school aim continues to be to make our school a greener and safer place for all our pupils, staff and visitors. It is our aim that the number of people walking and cycling to school will continue to increase, culminating in car-free days later in the school year.
A walking bus commenced in November 2010. The walking group gathers at 9 a.m. each morning at The Church of the Resurrection, Park Rd. Our thanks to all parents involved in organising the walking bus.
The theme for our next Green Flag 2011-2013 is Biodiversity.
