| Congratulations to the 10 North Tipperary schools that were 
                    presented with Green Flags by well-known RTE broadcaster on 
                    wildlife and environmental issues, �anna N� Lamhna 
                    at a special awards ceremony held in Dublin recently.  This brought the total number of Green Flags in the county 
                    to thirty-two. Two of those schools were first-time award winners and were 
                    commended for their efforts to reduce waste and litter in 
                    their school and local community. They are - St. Ruadhans 
                    National School in Redwood and St. Joseph�s College, Newport. 
                    The Newport school is the first VEC secondary school in North 
                    Tipperary to receive a green flag.  Three schools in the county received their second green flag 
                    for carrying out energy conservation programmes in their school 
                    -  
                    Youghalarra National School St. Mary�s No. 2 National School in Nenagh - and Killenaive National School.  Five schools received their third flag for creating awareness 
                    within their schools and community on water pollution and 
                    water conservation, together with many other water matters 
                    -  
                    Ballina National School Carrig National School, Birr St. Joseph�s Primary School, Templemore Scoil Naomh Sheosaimh, Toomevara - and Lismackin National School, Roscrea.  According to �ine Mc Carthy, North Tipperary County Council�s 
                    Environmental Awareness Officer - �The amount of enthusiasm 
                    and effort the children put into their litter and waste, energy 
                    and water programmes in their schools is great to see and 
                    they are helped along the way with guidance from committed 
                    teachers, parents and caretakers in order to create an effective 
                    Green Schools Programme.  "The children are very aware of the difference they 
                    are making to their local environment and they bring this 
                    information and knowledge - not only into their schools, but 
                    also into their homes and they spread the word to the wider 
                    communities.�  Green Schools is an international project designed to encourage 
                    whole school action to improve our environment. The seven-step 
                    action programme is co-ordinated in Ireland by An Taisce and 
                    supported by North Tipperary County Council. It can be adapted 
                    to primary or secondary schools as well as adult education 
                    centres.  The school/centre sets up a committee and prepares an Action 
                    Plan in order to achieve reduction in waste, litter, energy 
                    or water. On achieving its targets, the school is awarded 
                    with a Green Flag - the symbol of having successfully met 
                    its environmental targets. Green Schools is a fun and flexible 
                    programme with the aim of being cross-curricular. For more information on Green Schools in Ireland - Click 
                    Here  |