The Department can provide free help and assistance to schools and other groups who wish to raise awareness of environmental issues. This assistance is particularly relevant to those schools involved in the Eco Schools programme.
The Department’s Environmental Co-ordinator provides a range of environmental education initiatives aimed at schools and community groups to
- promote sustainability,
- encourage greater recycling by raising awareness of the Council’s recycling facilities and the brown and blue bin recycling schemes
- raise awareness of litter and promote a litter free environment.
- encourage local schools to participate in the Eco Schools Programme
Schools Environmental Awareness Newsletter
A twice yearly Schools’ Environmental Awareness Newsletter is distributed to all schools in the district.
Click the link to access the most recent editions of the newsletter:
September 2010 Schools Environmental Newsletter
January 2011 Schools Environmental newsletter
September 2011 Schools' Environmental Awareness Newsletter
February 2012 Schools' Environmental Awareness Newsletter
A litter education pack for key stage 1 and 2 is available on request .
Eco-Schools
Schools are encouraged to register with the Eco-Schools programme to achieve the coveted Green Flag award. Details on how the programme works, including how to register, can be found on the eco school website www.eco-schoolsni.org or by contacting Tidy Northern Ireland direct on 028 9073 6920 or visiting the Eco Schools web site at www.eco-schoolsni.org.
In 2010 Newry and Mourne District Council have 50 schools registered with the Eco Schools programme. 19 schools have achieved the bronze award, 5 schools have achieved the silver award and 7 schools have been presented with the coveted, and internationally recognised, Green Flag.
In 2010 St Colman's College, Newry and St Malachy's Nursery Carnegat Newry received their first Green Flags. St Joseph's Primary School Bessbrook also renewed their flag which they first received in 2009. Pictured is Mayor Councillor John Feehan hosting a green flag presentation for members of each schools' Eco Committees. Also pictured are teachers Theresa Mohamed, Patrice Early, Chrisitine Campbell and Colin Latham, NI Eco Schools Manager.
Environmental Youth Speak Competition 2011
Environmental Youth Speak Competition 2011 Winners
Sean King of St Joseph’s Primary School Meigh, and Courtney Keenan of St Mary’s High School Newry did their schools proud when they were judged to be best speakers in the Newry and Mourne Council heats of Environmental Youth Speak 2011 held in March 2011 at the Council Offices.
This year's topics were "Rethink Your Rubbish - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" and "Love Food hate Waste". Twenty four pupils from schools across the district participated in this annual competition which is organised in conjunction with Northern Ireland's twenty six Council's and NI's three Waste Management Groups.
Sean and Courtney represented the Council at the SWaMP (Southern Waste Area Management Partnership) Regional final held in Craigavon Civic Centre on the 14 April 2011.
Congratulations to Sean who went on to win the Regional heat and also scoop the coveted NI Junior Environmental Youth Speak title!
To view photos of the Council winners and all participants in the Newry and Mourne 2011 Environmental Youth Speak heats please Click Here.
To view pictures from the Regional and NI Final held in Craigavon Civic Centre please Click Here.
To view Sean King's winning speech Click Here.
Environmental Youth Speak Competition 2012
Details of this year's Environmental Youth Speak Competition is as follows:
NMDC Council heats:
| Junior (P6&7) |
Wednesday 21 March 2012 |
Boardroom, Council Offices |
| Senior (Yr8&9) |
Friday 23 March 2012 |
Boardroom, Council Offices |
SWaMP Regional & NI Finals:
| Junior & Senior |
Thursday 26 April 2012 |
Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey Borough Council |
This year's topics:
Junior: "Shrink your bin. One less bag to landfill"
Senior: "WEEE* waste big problem. What can we do?"
(*WEEE = Waste Electrical and electronic Equipment)
All schools in the district will be invited to take part in the local Council heats (maximum two pupils per school). One junior and one senior pupil will be chosen to represent Newry and Mourne District Council and compete in the 2012 SWaMP Regional Final, with the possibility of going further to the 2012 NI Final. Schools will receive registration forms during February 2012. Registration forms can also be downloaded by clicking here.
All forms should be sent to "Environmental Youth Speak Competition Registration, Newry and Mourne District Council, Council Offices, Monaghan Row, Newry, County Down, BT35 8DJ." Closing date for registrations is Friday 2nd March 2012.
Annual Initiatives
A number of annual environmental initiatives also take place :
School Talks
In addition the following talks and presentations are available to schools on request :
BLUE BIN TALK - Lasting between 45 minutes and an hour this talk can be tailored to key stages 1,2 and 3. While more suitable for single class sizes, larger groups can be accommodated. Key stage 1 and 2 is highly interactive and can be accompanied with a cartoon video and the popular “String Quiz”. The Key stage 3 talk is more formal with a power point slide presentation. Worksheets are provided for teachers use.
BROWN BIN - Lasting 45 minutes to an hour this talk is suitable for Key Stage 2 only and strictly for groups of approximately 30 . The talk covers the differrent options available such as the home composter, the eco wormery and the Council’s own brown bin scheme.
LITTER - Litter is still a major problem in our district. The Council’s Litter Enforcement officers can visit your school to reinforce the anti-litter message. These talks are subject to our litter officers being available do booking is required well in advance.
Schools can request a talk/presentation or seek further advice by contacting Patrick Mc Shane, Environmental Co-ordinator on 028 3031 3100 or e mailing patrick.mcshane@newryandmourne.gov.uk.