Green Flag Ceremony – Bio-Diversity

    On Friday, October 9^th, we held our flag raising ceremony to celebrate gaining our 5^th Green Flag for Bio-Diversity Awareness. Our guest speaker for the ceremony was Ruth Gai-McKeever, from An Taisce, who was also one of the first pupils registered in our school when it opened in 1990. Ruth also brought along her ‘friend’, the Green Schools Bee Mascot.

The ceremony began in the hall with a welcome from Maryam (6^th), a member of the out-going Green Schools Committee. We then had a short talk from Anne Bradley, our Green Schools co-ordinator, who reminded the children of the achievements made towards achieving our 5^th Green Flag. Ruth then gave a talk to the children on behalf of the Green Schools governing body, An Taisce, asked them some questions and showed some slides of their work towards the Green Flag. After that Daisy (3^rd) announced that we would all move outside for the raising of the flag. Eve and Daisy, from 3^rd class, carried the flag as the children moved outside, led by Ruth and the Green Schools committee.

When everyone had assembled outside, Eibhlín (4^th) introduced the 6^th class singers singing Riptide. Eve then announced that Dennis would lower the old flag, accompanied by Ilana (5^th) on the violin. Jack (4^th) and Eibhlín placed the flag on the table for folding and it was then folded by Hannah (6^th) and Catherine (5^th).

Jessie (5^th) picked up the flag and passed it to Maryam. Jessie then announced the raising of the new flag by Ruth and Dennis, accompanied by Lola (4^th) on the flute. Finally, Jack introduced a specially commissioned poem, written by Mia (4th class) and read by her classmate, Maebh. Hannah then closed the ceremony by thanking everyone who took part and we finished off with everyone singing our Diversity song, Everyone Belongs.

Bio-diversity and me

Why does the wind blow and rustle the leaves?

Why do we wake up to the birds in the trees?

It’s simple, really, no mystery,

The answer to all is bio-diversity.

It created man, how do we re-pay?

We made sure one was happening today.

Here in the school, we planted many a tree, many a plant too.                                           

Bio-diversity is everywhere, don’t say I’m wrong.

It sings itself just like a song.

Winter, Summer, Autumn, Spring

Bio-diversity is everything.                                                                              

By Mia Stephenson, 4th class.