Environment \ Environmental Health\Environmental awareness

Environmental Awareness/Education

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.

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 awareness Newsletter
January 2010 Schools Environmental Newsletter
September 2009 Schools Environmental 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 NI direct on 028

In 2009 Newry and Mourne District Council have 35 schools (49 %) of schools registered with the programme including 14 bronze awards, 3 silver awards and five green flags.

In June 2009 the first five Green Flag award schools were presented with their flags at a ceremony hosted by the Mayor, Councillor John Feehan.

Teachers and members of the eco committees from St Clare’s Convent Primary Newry, Killean Primary, St Joseph’s Primary Bessbrook, St Joseph’s Primary Newry and St Mary’s Primary Glasdrumman are pictured with Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council, Councillor John Feehan.

Annual Initiatives

A number of annual environmental initiatives also take place :

• Schools’ Environmental Calendar
– click for the most recent edition of the calendar
• Environmental Youth Speak Competition
– click for the 2010 Environmental Youth Speak flyer
–- click for pictures of 2010 competition.
• Cash for Clobber
• Reuseable bag campaign

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.