Green Schools Jan Update

Green Schools Update

On Tuesday the 27^th of January 2009, A.C.S. has organised their action day for COW-Cycle Or Walk to promote sustainable travel to and from school on a daily basis.

A.C.S currently has an excellent level of students who already walk or cycle to school (45%). However, we have all been caught at some stage in the chaos which occurs in the car parks either immediately before or after school.

In working towards a “greener future”, Noel Dempsey has published a Public Consultation Document "2020 Vision – Sustainable Travel and Transport".   In this paper he demonstrates that the current trends for travel in Ireland are not sustainable and impact negatively on our quality of life, starting with our school children. For guidance in this problem, we look towards what our nearest neighbours have done in this field.
In England every school must produce a School Travel Plan (S.T.P).
S.T.P's are a scheme set up by the government to cut unnecessary car journeys to school. “Mode Shift” is the big catch phrase in school travel planning. The desired switch is from single car use to walking or cycling. Since 2008, all schools have had to ask all pupils how they travel to school and submit this information as part of the school census.

The Green Schools team at A.C.S are currently working closely with Sarah Kittle from an Taisce transport section and Padraig Ryan, a Dublin Travel Consultant.   Padraig is a past pupil of our school who has recently completed his M.S.c. in Sustainable Development specialising in sustainable commuting to school using our school as a case study.

Our project is very much a “work in progress” with our main actions summarised below. We at Green Schools would like to invite any and all assistance in the programme to promote sustainable travel. Your thoughts and ideas are welcome via our website and remember;

• “Each kilometre of car journey emits 160 grams of C02 into the atmosphere. Therefore, if your child can walk from Aldi car park you have reduced your carbon footprint for today and your child has arrived healthier and ready to learn".

Where we are now:

• 3 Green flags to date
• Whole school survey and analysis of existing modes of transport to and from school.
• N.C.T – “No car Tuesday” may 20^th 2008 as part of walk to school week 2008
• National Art Competition winner (Green-Schools-travel art competition 2008 Fitter-Faster-Stronger)- congratulations to Luke Brenan and Ms. Maher with  “Use Your Feet Not Your Seat”  earning Luke a bike for his slogan/poster.
• New flag poles and flag rising ceremony as part of our 2008 National Spring Clean – 8^th of April. Thanks to John Fanning for his involvement and inspiration towards this campaign.
• New bike shed – October 2008. Thanks to An Taisce and Ally Menary.
• November 2008 11 A.C.S students were selected to be the face of An Taisce for a National poster campaign to promote sustainable travel to schools.
• A number of art competitions in association with the art department promoting our relevant projects.
• C.O.W – Cycle or walk – Action day 27^th of January.
• 3^rd world fund raisers.
• Text-Book class sets have been put in place in classrooms to enable students to walk with lighter bags (e.g. science, business, home.ec and engineering).
• 1^st year Young Entrepreneurs are selling recycles “WOW” bags made in the Philippines in collaboration with Ger Clarke, Dalgan Pk, Navan.
  Thanks to Ms.Burke, Business Department.