Ballybay NS, a pioneer in the Green Flag project

Ballybay Central NS is a pioneer school in the Green Flag programme and is leading the way for the local community when it comes to environmental issues. Indeed, the school is so successful that they were one of the first schools in Ireland and the first school in Roscommon to win the special 'green homes’ flag. “With dedication, enthusiasm and energy like that, our environment is in good hands,” said teacher and green schools co-ordinator Ms Martina Mulvey. “Our school is just so enhanced by their work.” The school proudly unveiled their third and fourth green flag to a crowd of parents, the Mayor of Roscommon, local councillors and the county’s environmental officer last Friday. Past-pupil Peter Domican, captain of the Roscommon senior football team and St Brigid’s player, had the honour of raising the flags. Three sixth class pupils explained to the gathered crowd how the hard-working teachers and pupils had achieved each of the flags. Maeve Tiernan told them the school won their first green flag back in 2004, after two years of hard work. She said since they’ve started the programme, the school’s motto has been: “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle”. The pupils learned about waste and recycling, they carried out an environmental review and made up a green code. They recycled tin cans and bottles, grew vegetables and the teachers gave presentations about recycling. Maeve thanked Ballybay’s former caretaker John Feehily and also the new caretaker John Fallon who, she said, was “just brilliant in looking after the school”. Roisin Bourke told everyone about winning the second green flag for energy, in 2006. The schoolchildren learned to be more energy-aware, making sure they turned off classroom lights and switched off computers at night. Finally, James Curley regaled the crowd with tales of a school trip to Croke Park with Ms Mulvey when they collected the flags from An Taisce. “I went to Croke Park with Ms Mulvey earlier this year to collect these flags and the reason why we’re here today is because I brought home these Green Flags. The reason Ms Mulvey is here today is also down to me, as she got lost several times in Croke Park,” he said to much laughter. James said they got the train up to Dublin and walked to Croke Park. He added to much laughter that Ms Mulvey charmed another teacher to drop them back to the train station! Principal Michael McLoughlin told the crowd that James was only allowed to Dublin on the condition that he brought him back a present. James got him two scratch cards, but sadly, Mr McLoughlin quipped, he didn’t win any money! The proud principal told the parents that even the senior infants were aware of what the school was celebrating and how important the green flag achievements were. He praised the involvement and interest shown by the parents, which helped the school greatly in winning the green homes flag. “I want to thank Martina (Mulvey) and everybody who made this day possible,” he added. Chairman of the school’s Board of Management, Fr John Cullen said it was great to be part of this special event. “There has always been the 'three Rs’ in school, well now there’s three more Rs - reduce, reuse, recycle - which has led to people feeling renewed, revived and rejoicing, another three Rs,” he said. “The green flag is all about co-operating with the creator, God, who gives us the environment. We have to make sure that all our resources our never plundered or mistreated but respected by our upcoming generation.” Suzanne Dempsey, Environmental Officer with Roscommon County Council, was full of praise for the pioneering school, which was leading the way in Roscommon. She said the fourth green flag was a huge achievement. She said that’s she has had to quiz each class on environmental issues and said that all the boys and girls were excellent. “Two thirds of schools in Roscommon are flying a green flag, we really encourage them, but very few in the county and in Ireland would have four and a green homes programme. Only the good schools achieve that.” She said the feedback from An Taisce about Ballybay’s experience of the green homes programme was “very, very good and they will now get more schools to do it”. Mayor of Roscommon Cllr Luke 'Ming’ Flanagan was hugely enthusiastic about the green flags programme when he spoke to the children, teachers and parents. “The people who made this happen today are the ones who deserve the congratulations,” he said. “I do despair at times some of the things going on in the world, but something good like the green flags gives me hope. The most important issue is the environment, there are no other issues if there is no environment.” He said that the word 'waste’ was wrong, because so much of it can be recycled. “Nothing is waste, there’s so many things you can turn around and use it as a resource,” he added. “Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall, but you could always make an omelette out of him.” The fifth class group performed a rap with their teacher Ms Shine called 'No Zone’, which was a suitable theme for the day’s celebrations. And then it was outside with a brief respite from the rain, to watch footballer Peter Domican raise the unique flag, to cheers and applause from everyone involved, big and small.