Press Release

Mayor congratulates St Columb’s College for achieving Eco-School Green award

Tuesday 24th June

The Mayor, Councillor Gerard Diver will congratulate St Columb’s College for attaining the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag Award today, Tuesday, 24 June at 1.00 pm. The Mayor will officially acknowledge the fact that the college is the first secondary school in Derry City Council achieve their Green Flag.

The Mayor, paying tribute to the pupils and staff at the College, said the Green Flag award is the highest possible award in the Eco-Schools programme which symbolises excellence in the field of environmental activity and a culmination of years of hard work by everyone at the school.

The Mayor, Councillor Diver commented: “This is a tremendous achievement by the whole school community and just recognition of the work they have been doing in reducing waste and litter, recycling and lowering energy consumption. This shows the commitment of the next generation of young people not to repeat the mistakes of previous years. We can be justly proud of the dedication and effort of these young people in helping to make their school community, their country and the world have a better and more sustainable environment.”

Julie Hannaway, Waste Minimisation & Recycling Officer with Derry City Council explained that Eco Schools is an international programme designed to integrate sustainable development and environmental awareness in schools. “All primary, secondary and special schools taking part have to set up an eco committee made up of pupils, teachers and members of the local community. The committee carries out an audit of the schools’ environment including areas such as litter, minimising waste, energy, water use, transport, healthy living and the school grounds. It then produces an action plan to carry out the improvements. Schools achieve the top Green Flag award by demonstrating continued commitment and success in achieving these aims. We are delighted that St Columb’s College have been awarded in this way and hope that other schools and colleges in the Council area make the commitment to improve their environmental performance.”

Ends

Photocall:

The Mayor will be available for a photocall on Tuesday, 24 June, at 1.00 pm at St. Columb’s College.

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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