Green Team
Green Team 2019/20
SETNS Green Team have had a busy year – read on to find out what we’ve been up to!
Edible Garden: We worked as a team to weed the edible garden – not an easy feat after a summer of fantastic weed growth! Shortly after schools closed down in March 2019, a ‘Green Schools Fairy’ planted some flowers, vegetables and herbs, which are now flourishing and will be ready to enjoy when we are back to school! Thanks also to junior infants who helped to finish off the remaining (huge!) carrots left in the edible garden – yum!
See if you can spot a tiny creature enjoying the garden and its nectar!
Tree Planting: A cold but fresh Tuesday morning saw our Green Team accompanied by Peter, Stephanie and Humiara plant the first bunch of trees in Broadmeadow Linear Park as part of the ‘Easy Treesie’ programme. Visit https://www.plant-for-the-planet.org/en/home to find out how you can contribute! Never missing an opportunity, the Green Team took litter pickers and a bin-bag on their walk to and from the park, filling it to the brim with rubbish! Well done! (November 2019)
Guest Speaker: The Green Team were very lucky to have a visit from DCU based Ramune, who taught us all how to create a simple but effective leaf-mould composter. We invite you to throw any loose leaves you find into the composter at collection time – thank you! (December 2019)
Electronics Recycling: Thanks to the wider school community who helped us to recycle over 200kg of home & small office electronic waste, and thank you to Recycle IT who made it all possible! (December 2019)
Green Team 2018 – 2019
Green Team News
Green Team goes for Global Goals!
SETNS Green Flags:
This year, SETNS Green Team begins work on our sixth Green Flag (Global Citizenship – Litter and Waste), while maintaining the previous five. Our flags to date are as follows:
- Litter and Waste: Simple Wrappings on Really Delicious Sandwiches
- Energy: Save Energy Today Never Stop!
- Water: We Are Trying To Save Every Raindrop!
- Transport: Be Cool Walk to School – Less Cars More Handlebars!
- Biodiversity: Birds, Bugs, Bees is our Dream.
Thursday 15th November 2018
A delegation of sixteen Green Team members from Swords ETNS set off at 9am to the annual Global Goals Conference in Croke Park. The sun was shining, and the weather a balmy ten degrees – this temperature in November acting as a reminder of our own impact on Climate Change! Below are just some highlights from a wonderful (and challenging!) day.
Feeling Hungry? (Goal #2 – Zero Hunger)
The conference began with a touching piece about Global Goal #2: Zero Hunger. Children from our school (and others) were shocked by some of the statistics:
- One third of food produced globally is wasted
- Ireland produces one million tonnes of food waste annually (enough to fill Croke Park 2.5 times!)
- An Irish household wastes €700 on average each year by wasting food!
The above statistics are not positive – however we can change: Josh and Max Kamalarajah of Wallace High School Lisburn paid a visit to report on the escalating crime of food wastage. While the brothers said they had fun creating their video, they also had the chance to ask some big questions about food waste in their school, local and global community:
Check out their entertaining and informative video here!
The duo above also had a couple of useful tips to help reduce food waste in our own lives:
- Food that has gone past the best before date is safe to eat – the only date that is truly important is the use by / expiry date!
- Keep a tidy fridge and cupboards, to make sure you use what you have before buying more food!
“It’s Not FAIR!” (Global Goal #5 – Gender Equality)
Children were wowed by a wonderful presentation on Gender Equality by the students of Scoil Bhride secondary school in Clondalkin. The girls spoke about some women they found most inspirational. Click on their names below to read more about them:
- The story of Malala Yousafzai
- Emma Watson (UN Women Goodwill Ambassador)
- Margaret Ann Bulkley – a female doctor disguised as a man!
These girls finished by showing an inspirational video about Gender Equality in salaries which made children (and adults alike) think hard about the big question of equal pay for equal work.
One could argue that the most inspirational part of this presentation was not the famous people mentioned, but the courage and can-do attitude of these girls in presenting to a jam-packed conference room in Croke Park on a Thursday afternoon in November!
They showed how even a small group of people can make a whole conference room, with over 200 children and over 20 adults, sit up and think hard about a topic like gender equality.
Do you Need it? (Global Goal #12 – Responsible Production and Consumption)
Some stats had eyebrows (and hands!) raised all around the conference room:
- 286 different pesticides are used in the production of most bananas
- Our average supermarket has over 30,000 different products on sale. Try to name them, and see how many we really need? Add plastic wrapping to most of these!
- By 2050, there could be more plastic in the sea than fish – if we continue with our production and disposal of plastic. Watch this video to find out more!
A wonderful idea was presented for this Black Friday: Instead of going out to buy new items, why not create a gift for somebody close to you by recycling things you already have, or visiting a local charity shop? See some ideas here!
Captain Climate Crashed in for a visit! (Global Goal #13 – Climate Action)
Children and adults attending the conference were treated to a special guest appearance. Captain Climate popped in for a visit and had some strong messages for everybody to discuss and share, the main one being this:
Every one of us has the potential to be a Climate Hero, and it is up to us all to exercise that potential to make sure that the future of our planet is secure.
Who knows – Captain Climate might just visit Swords ETNS someday soon…
But what can ONE PERSON do?
If you’re not convinced you about the power of everybody playing their own part, no matter how small, then read this story about the boy and the starfish.
A message to young people
As a final note, Frank Geary, Director of the Irish Development Education Association, had something very positive to say. Frank made the point (thanks to lots of hands up from SETNS and other schools!) that children have the creativity and passion to answer the questions posed by the Global Goals, and that we can work together to save the further degradation of our planet!
So let’s get out there and make the Global Goals a reality! If you’re not sure where to start, visit the website below, or get in touch with the school and we would be delighted to send you some information or indeed take any ideas you might have on board!
Global Goals Website – https://www.globalgoals.org/
Thank You!
Thank you to staff (Marie and Peter), Parents (David and Humiara) and our bus driver for accompanying the Green Team on their learning journey. Thank you to our dedicated Green Team for their hard work on the day. What a wonderful way to start our exploration of Global Citizenship – Litter and Waste.
Watch this space for more Green Team updates!
Green Team 2017 – 2018
Green Team News
Click to read about our participation in the The Woodland League ‘Forest in a Box’ Project 2018
The Green Team is delighted to announce that we had two worthy winners in the Fingal County Council Environmental Awareness Competition in December Sean Graham and Freya Berg in Bronagh’s 3rd class. They received a voucher for €150.00 each to be spent on the school environs. The Green Team visited Woodies on the 24th January and had a wonderful time spending the vouchers.
SETNS have applied for their 5th Green Flag – theme Biodiversity. The Green Code for this flag is Birds, Bees, Bugs Is Our Dream (Biodiversity). The children in the school have been learning how important it is that we provide lots of flowers, plants, shrubs, vegetables and fruits for our birds, bees and bugs.
Thank you for helping to look after our precious planet.
Bronagh, Marie and the Green Team.
Green Team 2015-2016
Meet the Green Team for 2015 / 2016
| Name | Class | Teacher |
| Cara Mooney | Junior Infants | Orla |
| Adam Butler | Junior Infants | Eibh |
| Ruby Morgan | Senior Infants | Deirdre |
| Emma Zhang | Senior Infants | Irene |
| Nia Carter | 1st Class | Sarah/Linda |
| Aoife Fitzpatrick | 1st Class | Fiona |
| Johnny Markham | 2nd Class | Helen |
| Mikolai Grabowicz | 2ND Class | Emma |
| Jessica Clemenson | 3rd Class | Bronagh |
| Alex Fitzsimons | 3rd Class | Rosemary |
| Adam Murtagh | 4th Class | Louise |
| Sam Fagan | 4th Class | Sorcha |
| Ian Dwyer | 5th Class | Claire |
| Emma Reilly | 5th Class | Aoife |
| Liam Adams | 6th Class | Teresa |
| Isobel Kelly | 6th Class | Tommy |
The Golden Boot Awards are a great success at SETNS! Each Green Team member encourages his/her class to walk/cycle/scoot to school (especially on a Tuesday). Classes that have the greatest number of children walking/cycling from Andrew (the lollipop man) or from home are awarded the Golden Boot for the week.
The Green Code for our 4th Green Flag Travel/Transport is Be Cool Walk to School – Less Cars More Handle Bars.
The other Green Codes that we use here at SETNS are as follows;
1) Litter and Waste Flag 1 – Simple Wrappings On Really Delicious Sandwiches (Swords)
2) Energy Flag 2 – Save Energy Today Never Stop (SETNS)
3) Water Flag 3 – We Are Trying to save Every Raindrop (Water)
The message that the Green Team wish to convey to all in SETNS and the wider community is: even the smallest environmental change we make, can help protect our precious planet. So let’s all join together and help our beautiful planet!
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Green Team 2014 – 2015
April 2015
Action Day – Travel/Transport – Green Team
Our Action Day held last Friday 24th April 2015 was an outstanding success! Thank you to all our facilitators/coaches whose generosity enabled such a fantastic day. Every class in the school from Junior Infants to 6th class was involved in at least one fun filled activity. Thank you to all the staff and teachers whose cooperation ensured the smooth running of a superb day.
Thank you also to the parents/guardians who all got into the “green spirit” and participated in the TOF (Trot on Friday) and exercises on the yard with Eva at 8.30 am!
A special word of thanks to Anna Marie and Angie (parent representatives on the Green Team) for all their help throughout the day, meeting and greeting and looking after all the facilitators.
The important message from this wonderful day is our Green Code “Less cars more handlebars – Be cool walk to school!”. Any environmentally friendly mode of transport helps our precious planet. With the weather improving (well hopefully) we encourage as many children as possible to walk, scoot, cycle, car pool or bus it to school.
Green Team, Marie and Bronagh
February 2015
Walkability Survey at SETNS
Sandra from An Taisce visited SETNS on 12th February and carried out a Walkability Survey with Green Team members (2nd – 6th), Bronagh and Angie (parent of Jude and Liam). The results and recommendations from the survey will be passed on to both An Taisce and the National Road Authority.
Trot on Tuesday – TOT
The TOT’s are going extremely well and it’s so lovely to see all the children, parents, grandparents and guardians trotting up the hill to school. The next TOT will take place on 24th February 2015. So why not join us – it’s great fun, free and healthy! Meeting place – Bunbury Gate, time – 8.15 am.
January 2015
Happy New Year to one and all. SETNS launched their Travel Flag activites on Tuesday 13th January 2015 with TOT. TOT stands for Trot on Tuesday! At 8.15am Marie, Angie, Anna Marie and Bronagh met children, parents/guardians and teachers at the pedestrian crossing beside Andrew the lollipop man for our trot up the hill to school!
Watch out for more TOT days coming soon!
October 2014: Green Flag 4: Travel / Transport
Green Team Committee :
|
Class |
Teacher |
Child |
|
Junior Infants |
Deirdre |
Ruby Morgan |
|
Junior Infants |
Eoghan |
Louie Twomey |
|
Senior Infants |
Orla |
Nia Carter |
|
Senior Infants |
Louise |
Aoife Fitzpatrick |
|
1st Class |
Eibh |
Johnny Markham |
|
1st Class |
Fiona |
Mikolaj Grabowicz |
|
2nd Class |
Claire T |
Jessica Clemenson |
|
2nd Class |
Helen |
Alex Fitzsimons |
|
3rd Class |
Aoife |
Adam Murtagh |
|
3rd Class |
Claire O’ |
Sam Fagan |
|
4th Class |
Norah |
Ian Dwyer |
|
4th Class |
Bronagh |
Emma Reilly |
|
5th Class |
Teresa |
Clara Fuentes |
|
5th Class |
Alison |
Isobel Kelly |
|
6th Class |
Margaret |
Saoirse Fitzgerald |
|
6th Class |
David |
Ella Fitzsimons |
September 2014: Official Unveiling of Third Green Flag for SETNS
On the 18th September 2014, SETNS welcomed the Defence Forces Number 1 Army Band to help celebrate and unveil our Third Green Flag – theme Water. Alison Gilliland (former teacher) officially unveiled the flag with the help of Tom Crossan and Reuben Murphy (from Senior Infant and members of Green Team).
The Green Team was dressed in yellow t-shirts, blue wigs and yellow baseball hats to mark the occasion and launch our Fourth Green Flag – theme Transport/Travel.
A great day was had by children, staff, invited guests, parents and members of the PTA. The PTA generously catered for the Army band, guests and the Green Team from our neighbouring school, Gaelscoil Bhrian Bóroimhe.
A big thank you to all involved in making our unveiling such a memorable day.
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Green Team 2013-2014
My name is Bronagh and I am the Green Team Co-coordinator for the school. The Green Team (names below) work on behalf of the whole school and we are in the process of obtaining our third Green Flag – Theme: Water.
The school holds two Green Flags (Themes: Litter and Waste (2009) and Energy (2011)). We use the following Green Codes to help us remember and maintain these flags.
Litter and Waste – Simple Wrappings On Really Delicious Sandwiches (S.W.O.R.D.S) and for Energy – Save Energy Today Never Stop (S.E.T.N.S).
The children remember to conserve water by saying the pledge – “I pledge to turn OFF the tap when I am brushing my teeth and I can save 5 litres of water”.
The Green Code for our Third Green Flag is We Are Trying to Save Every Raindrop (W.A.T.E.R)!
And remember the simple message from the Green Team is ABC – A for Airtight container, B for Batteries and C for Conserve water and energy!
| Class | Name | Teacher |
| Junior Infants | Ruben Murphy and Tom Crossan | Deirdre and Eoghan |
| Senior Infants | Dylan Marshall and Freya Givan | Eibh and Louise |
| 1st Class | Alys Marouze-Keeley and Ava Downey | Claire T and Sylvia |
| 2nd Class | Rebecca Dwyer and Darragh Jones | Mallaidh and Aoife |
| 3rd Class | Amy Carter and Senan Noonan | Fiona Mc and Teresa |
| 4th Class | Louis Bebbington and Aaron Murray | Siobhan and Alison |
| 5th Class | Kai Mc Gowan and Ella Fitzsimons | Margaret and David |
| 6th Class | Seán Lawless and Sanda Hincu | Bronagh and Claire O’ |
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Our Third Green Flag!
The awarding of our third Green Flag for the theme: Water took place at the Helix on 22nd May 2014. Pictured here are Deirdre Moffatt (Parent representative), Marie Phelan (SETNS Staff representative), Trish Kennedy (Fingal County Council), and Mark from An Taisce. Congratulations everyone at SETNS!
National SOW Day Wednesday 12th March 2014
The Green Team joined the National SOW Day (scoot on Wednesday) on Wednesday 12th where lots of children scooted to school. This is a Green Schools initiative organized to get everyone scooting to school helping to protect our planet.
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December 18th 2013
Season’s Greetings from all on the Green Team.
The application for our Third Green Flag – theme Water has been submitted to An Taisce. They will review the application and together with the feedback from our Assessment visit with Trish Kennedy will inform us in the New Year on the award.
A reminder of the three R’s, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle! No doubt there will be lots of opportunity to put into practice some of these R’s over the holiday period. The lunch box survey (completed last Friday every month) is very encouraging and shows that out of 422 pupils surveyed, 45% had lunches without wrappings! The survey also recorded that the use of tin foil and cling film has reduced by 1% and 2% respectively.
Many thanks for your cooperation in all you do to make the Green Team’s job easier. To conclude the ABC’s are not just for school they can be for home too!! Regards your hard working Green Team
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Green Team 2012-2013
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Green Schools Award Ceremony |
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Green Team Award March 13th,2012 Mayor of Fingal Gerry Maguire presents our Green Team with a specially commissioned trophy,a €250 cheque for library books and a Certificate of Achievement as Fingal Regional winners of the Go Recycle & Win Competition 2011 |
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