Green-Schools, known internationally as Eco-Schools, is an international environmental education programme, environmental management system and award scheme that promotes and acknowledges long-term, whole school action for the environment.
Effin National School has participated in this programme for many years and has successfully achieved the following flags:
- Litter and Waste
- Energy
- Water
- Travel
We are currently working on the Biodiversity flag.
Children from various classes have been involved in:
- Green School Committee
- Achievment of the flags to date
- Planning for the various flags
- Planting bulbs and vegetables in our school garden
- Harvesting vegetables and fruit
- Making bird feeders
- Observing and identifying garden birds
- Creating Bug Hotels
- Other agencies e.g. Heritage in Schools
- Litter-picking and Team Limerick Clean-Up
- Anti-littering posters
- Walking to school during good weather
- Completing projects based on different countries
- Tasting food from different countries
The School Garden
We are committed to keeping our school clean and tidy. Over the years we have worked hard to improve our school space which now includes an Outdoor Classroom, quiet spaces and permanent yard games such as hopscotch. We have a school garden which boasts a large polytunnel and outdoor raised beds. The garden was moved in 2021 to accommodate the Outdoor Classroom, but in the Spring of 2023 work began anew with all pupils being invited to weed, dig, plant seeds, water and tend to their seedlings. The School Garden was successful enough for the school to cater a Garden Fete for all pupils and their families prior to Covid 19.
