Green Flag for Scoil na Mainistreach
May
May 23rd was a proud day for Scoil na Mainistreach! An Taisce invited us to their annual Awards Ceremony in D.C.U. and we were presented with our 7th Green Flag. This flag was for all the hard work done by our Committee on the theme of Global Citizenship- Energy. Brian Mc Bride and Daniel Fitzpatrick represented the Committee and a great day was had by all.
Green Flag Renewal Meeting with Dara Wyer
· Dara Wyer works for Kildare County Council. He came to our school to see how green our school is. We spoke to about him what we worked for this year, which was Global Citizenship Energy. We showed him our report on Laura Wright and on Paul Finch. We showed him all our goals and all our work on the notice boards. And then he took in to a classroom and asked us questions for example “Do you use any system to reduce energy use in the school?” and of course we said we set up a little game where we stick stars to a point sheet if they have all their electronics off.We showed him our PowerPoints, website and online surveys and quizzes. We think Dara was impressed with our work and hopefully we will be awarded our Green Flag.
Preetham
· Dara Wyer works for Kildare County Council. He came to our school to see how green our school is. We spoke to about him what we worked for this year, which was Global Citizenship Energy. We showed him our report on Laura Wright and on Paul Finch. We showed him all our goals and all our work on the notice boards. And then he took in to a classroom and asked us questions for example “Do you use any system to reduce energy use in the school?” and of course we said we set up a little game where we stick stars to a point sheet if they have all their electronics off.We showed him our PowerPoints, website and online surveys and quizzes. We think Dara was impressed with our work and hopefully we will be awarded our Green Flag.
Preetham

Drama Workshops with Mura Tierney from Goal
On Thursday 8th March 6th Class were working with Mura Tierney from Goal.
Goal is an International Aid Agency dedicated to helping people in crisis all over the world.
Mura was teaching us about Ethiopia and what life is like there for kids our age. Through her Drama Workshops we learned about problems like drought, migration and inequality. It was very interesting and great fun!
Our school are working on the topic of Global Citizenship -Energy for our next Green Flag and Mura has been a great help.
On Thursday 8th March 6th Class were working with Mura Tierney from Goal.
Goal is an International Aid Agency dedicated to helping people in crisis all over the world.
Mura was teaching us about Ethiopia and what life is like there for kids our age. Through her Drama Workshops we learned about problems like drought, migration and inequality. It was very interesting and great fun!
Our school are working on the topic of Global Citizenship -Energy for our next Green Flag and Mura has been a great help.
Green School Code
Everybody save the world
Now is the time to act
Energy is worth saving
Reduce,Reuse,Recycle
Get on your bike and cycle
Your actions make a difference
Now is the time to act
Energy is worth saving
Reduce,Reuse,Recycle
Get on your bike and cycle
Your actions make a difference
Green News
We will be having a poster competition about saving energy and climate change. If you win you get DELICIOUS Fair Trade Easter Eggs.
For Junior Infants to 2nd we are having a colouring competition. Here is a link to some Energy Colouring Pages
www.seai.ie/resources/schools/Guzzler_colour-in_all_9.pdf
We will also be having a quiz competition based on Fair Trade and climate change. The winner of that will also get DELICIOUS Fair Trade Easter Eggs.
For Junior Infants to 2nd we are having a colouring competition. Here is a link to some Energy Colouring Pages
www.seai.ie/resources/schools/Guzzler_colour-in_all_9.pdf
We will also be having a quiz competition based on Fair Trade and climate change. The winner of that will also get DELICIOUS Fair Trade Easter Eggs.
Paul Finch Energy Workshop
On the 19th of February 2018 a man called Paul Finch came to our school to teach us about Energy. He is from England but he came to live here to be an artist. He does sculpture and basket weaving, but he also goes to scrap yards and collects pieces and turns them into energy efficient making machines. He made a smoothie by cycling a bike. He taught us you can make energy by using daily items. Everyone really enjoyed the workshop and thanks to Paul for coming.
Concern
On the 12th of December 2017 a lady came into our school from Concern. Her name is Lauren Wright. We have a big connection with Concern. In 2016 some boys in our sixth class were on TV for doing great work with Concern and we had a big Hunger Heroes day. Lauren talked to us about Climate Change and Global Citizenship. She also talked about all the food we waste and how little changes can make a big difference. Everyone really enjoyed the talk and thanks to Lauren and Concern.
Global Citizenship - Energy
As part of our next flag application we need to find out how much we know about being a good Global Citizen and Energy.
We would ask all senior classes from 3rd to 6th to complete the following survey.
Please click on the link below
Global Awareness Energy Survey
Green Schools Committee 2017-18
This years committee is made up of boys from 5th and 6th class.Their names are Jamie Leahy,Brian Mc Bride, Preetham Dasari, Michael Varghese, Eoin Ryan, Daniel Fitzpatrick, Cian Byrne, Adam Donnelly, Matthew Mooney, Conall Carey, Evan Kelly, Jake Whelan.
Our theme this year is Global Citizenship- Energy.
We have made a presentation to show to all the classes. Why don't you have a look?
Click on the file below.

green_schools_committee_powerpoint.pptx |
Green Schools Committee 2015/16
This year we are applying for our sixth green flag.The theme this year is Global Citizenship-Litter and Waste.We meet twice a week. We conducted a little Litter & Waste Questionnaire. We also did a clean up of the yards.
We are hoping to learn about our links with the wider world and how to be good Global Citizens. We are going to focus in particular on the area of Fairtrade.
We are hoping to learn about our links with the wider world and how to be good Global Citizens. We are going to focus in particular on the area of Fairtrade.

The Green School boys helped Mary with the Team Hope Shoebox Appeal. Taking part in the Shoebox Appeal is a great example of Global Citizenship.We are reaching out to help children all over the world.A big thank you to Mary Shaw for organising this every year and to all the families who took part. Learn more about Team Hope here https://secure.teamhope.ie/csa
Green Schools Committee 2015/2016.
Craig Doyle
Eoin Skelly-Behan
Freddie Agyapong
Eimantas Jonusos
Ewan Dunne
Nathan Poole
Stephen Griffin
Jacob McLoughlin
David Daly
Kevin Lawlor
Corrin Crowe Buckley
Alan Goss
Victor Olanihun
Seán Bowes
Jamie Lee Barry
Mario Elijah Obijlaku
Austin Shaju
Eoghan Brennan
Craig Doyle
Eoin Skelly-Behan
Freddie Agyapong
Eimantas Jonusos
Ewan Dunne
Nathan Poole
Stephen Griffin
Jacob McLoughlin
David Daly
Kevin Lawlor
Corrin Crowe Buckley
Alan Goss
Victor Olanihun
Seán Bowes
Jamie Lee Barry
Mario Elijah Obijlaku
Austin Shaju
Eoghan Brennan

Our School Has Links To The Following Countries:
Spain, Scotland, Poland, Columbia, Lithuania, Laos, Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, Belgium, Egypt, Rwanda, South Africa, Romania, Japan, Russia, Latvia, Canada, Luxembourg, Isle of Man, Uganda, China, Ireland, Qatar, Greece, Peru, Portugal, Israel, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Pakistan, Congo, Ukraine, Bosnia, India, Chad, Brazil, France, Nigeria, Wales, New Zealand, Ghana, England, Australia, Zimbabwe, U.S.A, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Germany, Philippines, Singapore.
Spain, Scotland, Poland, Columbia, Lithuania, Laos, Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, Belgium, Egypt, Rwanda, South Africa, Romania, Japan, Russia, Latvia, Canada, Luxembourg, Isle of Man, Uganda, China, Ireland, Qatar, Greece, Peru, Portugal, Israel, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Pakistan, Congo, Ukraine, Bosnia, India, Chad, Brazil, France, Nigeria, Wales, New Zealand, Ghana, England, Australia, Zimbabwe, U.S.A, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Germany, Philippines, Singapore.
Blooming Marvellous!
With the help of the Green Schools Committee working with 4th, 5th and 6th classes, we have planted 1200 daffodil bulbs in our school grounds, it will look beautiful in Spring!
So what is Global Citizenship?
We asked some boys in Scoil Na Mainistreach what do they think Global Citizenship means here are a few answers.....
.
- A Global citizen is someone who identifies themselves as a citizen of the world
- A Global citizen is a person who feels it is more important to be a citizen of the world rather then of one country
- It means help people not just in your town but from the whole world like donating to charity and taking part in fund raisers and also doing the shoe box appeal.
- Global Citizenship is being a Global member of the world community.
- Global Citizenship means respecting people wherever they live, while protecting our planet from harm and nurturing our natural resources.
- Someone who is part of the world community.
- I think Global Citizenship means to look after your community and to bring everyone together.
- Global Citizenship is caring for the environment and respecting the world.
- Global Citizenship means being aware of the world we live in and looking after it for the future.
- I think it means caring for people around the world and joining together.
.
Concern Worldwide
Today we had a fantastic talk from Miss Clare Marshall. She works for a charity worldwide and it's called Concern. Concern stands for helping people in developing countries. It was founded in 1968 and is Irelands' largest aid and humanitarian agency. Since its foundation 45 years ago it has worked in 50 countries and currently employs 3,200 staff in 25 countries around the world. Concern works to help those living in the world's poorest countries to achieve real and lasting improvements in their lives. Concern is engaged in long term development work, in addition to emergency relief in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Concern’s core work focuses on health, hunger and humanitarian response in emergencies. They work in partnership with small community groups as well as governments and large global organisations. Concern is just one of fourteen fully certified members of Humanitarian Accountability Partnership. Clare told us That concern is holding campaign for young people called Hunger Heroes, If you Donate a euro you can get a cool cape and a certificate saying you are a hunger hero. We are hoping to give some of the money we raise from the 6th class jumble sale to Concern. I really enjoyed the talk about Concern.
By Austin Shaju aged 12
Today we had a fantastic talk from Miss Clare Marshall. She works for a charity worldwide and it's called Concern. Concern stands for helping people in developing countries. It was founded in 1968 and is Irelands' largest aid and humanitarian agency. Since its foundation 45 years ago it has worked in 50 countries and currently employs 3,200 staff in 25 countries around the world. Concern works to help those living in the world's poorest countries to achieve real and lasting improvements in their lives. Concern is engaged in long term development work, in addition to emergency relief in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Concern’s core work focuses on health, hunger and humanitarian response in emergencies. They work in partnership with small community groups as well as governments and large global organisations. Concern is just one of fourteen fully certified members of Humanitarian Accountability Partnership. Clare told us That concern is holding campaign for young people called Hunger Heroes, If you Donate a euro you can get a cool cape and a certificate saying you are a hunger hero. We are hoping to give some of the money we raise from the 6th class jumble sale to Concern. I really enjoyed the talk about Concern.
By Austin Shaju aged 12
Visit from Claire Marshall-Concern Worldwide
Today a woman from CONCERN came to visit all the 6th classes. At the start she told us a bit about what CONCERN do for the poorer and developing countries or the countries were there has been a really bad earthquake. Then she told us where she has been and which countries. She explained some information that the government are doing to try and deal with the problems around the world like the environment, food, child mortality, pregnancy and global citizenship. We then played a game that involved all the items I have just listed and we were split up into three groups. We were told to put the items in order of what we thought was the most important to the least important. We then finished up and I thought it was a very good talk and that it was exciting and I really enjoyed it
By Kevin Lawlor aged 12
Concern
A lady came into school to talk to us about the charity Concern.
- She said they are an international humanitarian organisation dedicated to tackling poverty and suffering in the world’s poorest countries.
- They work in partnership with the very poorest people in these countries, directly enabling them to improve their lives, as well as using their knowledge and experience to influence decisions made at a local, national and international level that can significantly reduce extreme poverty.
- I think it was a great thing what she is doing to help the poor and weak.It really got me thinking could I do anything to help the poor, like not waste food or to give money to charity. I think we might be giving some of money raised from the jumble sale to the Concern charity and I think that would be a great idea. That is all I have to say but I would love to know more about the charity.
Fairtrade Questionnaire
The Green Schools compiled a Questionnaire to find out if our Local Supermarkets & and Cafe’s stock Fairtrade goods.
We wrote to Supervalu, Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Centra, Spar, Halo, Insomnia, Costa & The Orchard Cafe.
Supervalu stock coffee, chocolate, tea, bananas and ice-cream.
Centra stock coffee, chocolate, cocoa and tea.
BWG (Spar) coffee, chocolate, cocoa, tea and juice (Orange, Blackcurrant and strawberry).
Aldi stock coffee, chocolate, tea, bananas, wine & flowers.
Louise from Goal visits 3rd, 4th and 5th
Goal
On the 26th of January 2016 a woman from Goal voluntary organisation came to our school to tell us about the Irish charity called Goal and all about what it does. Goal is an Irish charity organisation founded in 1977 and it helps developing countries around the world. Goal helps people who have been victims of natural disasters and aims to make the world a fairer, better place. Goal has been helping in Ethiopia for a while and the woman from Goal told us about how different the people's everyday lives are different to ours. Some of them only have one or two meals a day, no clean water, they don’t go to school and have to go and get dirty water from wells. Goal has been a big impact on people’s lives. The woman from Goal told us that scientists have made food that has a lot of nutrition in it, and the food is being given to the people so as to help fatten the people up. We talked a lot about fairtrade and how unfair the wages are, we also talked a lot about Global Citizenship. We looked at food and listed countries where it could be made or grown like tea, coffee, and chocolate. We all talked about how we can make contact with all different parts of the world like where our food is from or where our clothes, and favourite singers are from. I think the whole thing went very well and everybody was very interested in what the woman had to say.
GOAL Global
We had a talk from Louise. She works for a charity called GOAL. GOAL is an international humanitarian agency dedicated to alleviating the suffering of the poorest of the poor. GOAL was founded in Dublin in 1977 by former sports journalist and former Chief Executive, John O’Shea.
Since its inception, GOAL has spent in excess of €790 million on humanitarian programmes in more than 50 countries. Over 2,800 Goalies and many thousands of local staff have worked in the developing world on GOAL’s behalf and the organisation has responded to every major humanitarian disaster since 1977.GOAL is currently operational in 15 countries including; Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, India, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Uganda and Zimbabwe, The Philippines & Liberia. GOAL spends millions every year (over €60 million in 2008) implementing relief, rehabilitation and development programmes to help the most vulnerable in 10 developing countries. GOAL is proud of the fact that they have kept administration costs exceptionally low for almost 32 years.
GOAL ensures that the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable in our world and those affected by humanitarian crises have access to the fundamental needs and rights of life: food, water, shelter, medical attention and literacy. I enjoyed the talk
Goal
On the 26th of January a lady from GOAL came into 4th and 5th classes to talk to us about what Goal does for poor and developing countries. She told us a lot about Ethiopia and mainly focused on that country in specific. She told us about how people in China work and that they get more hours and less money. She asked us about what we know that is happening in the world and we also discussed how we are helping the world and finally she showed us a video called “kid President.” This was absolutely hilarious
The link to that video is right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z7gDsSKUmU
On the 26th of January 2016 a woman from Goal voluntary organisation came to our school to tell us about the Irish charity called Goal and all about what it does. Goal is an Irish charity organisation founded in 1977 and it helps developing countries around the world. Goal helps people who have been victims of natural disasters and aims to make the world a fairer, better place. Goal has been helping in Ethiopia for a while and the woman from Goal told us about how different the people's everyday lives are different to ours. Some of them only have one or two meals a day, no clean water, they don’t go to school and have to go and get dirty water from wells. Goal has been a big impact on people’s lives. The woman from Goal told us that scientists have made food that has a lot of nutrition in it, and the food is being given to the people so as to help fatten the people up. We talked a lot about fairtrade and how unfair the wages are, we also talked a lot about Global Citizenship. We looked at food and listed countries where it could be made or grown like tea, coffee, and chocolate. We all talked about how we can make contact with all different parts of the world like where our food is from or where our clothes, and favourite singers are from. I think the whole thing went very well and everybody was very interested in what the woman had to say.
GOAL Global
We had a talk from Louise. She works for a charity called GOAL. GOAL is an international humanitarian agency dedicated to alleviating the suffering of the poorest of the poor. GOAL was founded in Dublin in 1977 by former sports journalist and former Chief Executive, John O’Shea.
Since its inception, GOAL has spent in excess of €790 million on humanitarian programmes in more than 50 countries. Over 2,800 Goalies and many thousands of local staff have worked in the developing world on GOAL’s behalf and the organisation has responded to every major humanitarian disaster since 1977.GOAL is currently operational in 15 countries including; Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, India, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Uganda and Zimbabwe, The Philippines & Liberia. GOAL spends millions every year (over €60 million in 2008) implementing relief, rehabilitation and development programmes to help the most vulnerable in 10 developing countries. GOAL is proud of the fact that they have kept administration costs exceptionally low for almost 32 years.
GOAL ensures that the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable in our world and those affected by humanitarian crises have access to the fundamental needs and rights of life: food, water, shelter, medical attention and literacy. I enjoyed the talk
Goal
On the 26th of January a lady from GOAL came into 4th and 5th classes to talk to us about what Goal does for poor and developing countries. She told us a lot about Ethiopia and mainly focused on that country in specific. She told us about how people in China work and that they get more hours and less money. She asked us about what we know that is happening in the world and we also discussed how we are helping the world and finally she showed us a video called “kid President.” This was absolutely hilarious
The link to that video is right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z7gDsSKUmU
Green Schools Code
We are Green Schools
We are cool
We are helping the world for me and you
There are Fairtrade farmers who are sad
There're busy making chocolate that they never even had
Global Citizenship is our theme
We're helping the world living their dream
We did a litter pick in our yard remember to recycle paper and card
This our message to the school
Be green that's the rule!
We are cool
We are helping the world for me and you
There are Fairtrade farmers who are sad
There're busy making chocolate that they never even had
Global Citizenship is our theme
We're helping the world living their dream
We did a litter pick in our yard remember to recycle paper and card
This our message to the school
Be green that's the rule!
Fairtrade Project
•A project on Fairtrade or any Fairtrade product-tea, coffee, bananas, chocolate, sugar
•Colouring for juniors up to second
•Closing date 11th March 2016
•Delicious prizes!!
•Colouring for juniors up to second
•Closing date 11th March 2016
•Delicious prizes!!
Fairtrade Fortnight
You may have seen updates about all our activities on the School Notices section of our website! We have been having a wonderful Fairtrade Fortnight! Breakfasts, quizzes and competitions not to mention our raffle which raised 167 euro for GOAL!
Here are a few reminders of the fun moments.
Here are a few reminders of the fun moments.