Schools in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Area Celebrate Eco-Schools Green Flag Awards

Teachers and pupils from across Newry, Mourne and Down have been recognised for their standout environmental work at this year’s Eco-Schools Green Flag Awards. Twenty-five local schools received Green Flags with special recognition for the Eco-Teacher and Eco-Pupil of the Year. The awards, managed by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, have been supported by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Nexus.

The 2023 Winners

Green Flag: Cortamlet Primary School, Dromore Road Primary School, Grange Primary School, Holy Cross Primary School, Our Lady's Grammar School RM, St Colmcille's Nursery School, St Mary's Primary School RM, St Mary's Primary School, St Nicholas Primary School, St Patrick's Primary School, All Children’s Integrated Primary School, Ashgrove Nursery School, Cumran Primary School, Down High School, Killean Primary School, Our Lady and St Patrick Primary School, St Brigid's (Drumilly) Primary School, St Columban's Primary School, St Joseph's Convent Primary School, St Joseph's Primary School, St Laurence O'Toole's Primary School, St Ronan's Primary School, St. Brigid's Primary School, Downpatrick Primary School, St Paul's Primary School.

Eco-Teacher of the Year (Sponsored by the Housing Executive): Miss?Nadine Crozier Sacred Heart PS, Dundrum

Eco-Pupil of the Year: Logan Gray, Sacred Heart PS, Dundrum

Eco-School of the Year (Sponsored by the Housing Executive): St. Joseph’s Convent Primary School

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte, who attended an awards presentation event at The Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick said, “It has been inspiring to see the vision and passion children across the district have for the environment and to learn more about their ideas.

“Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has been a long-time supporter of the Eco-Schools programme and is delighted to have hosted a wonderful celebration event recognising our schools’ award winning environmental work”

Sinead Murray, Environmental Education Coordinator at Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful said, “This year we have been really impressed by the quality of applications from schools across the council area. Pupils and teachers have really stepped up and get the importance of taking concrete against the climate emergency. The creativity and determination displayed by pupils can give all of us confidence in the future. We are delighted to see the ethos of the Eco-Schools programme so warmly embraced by so many schools.”

Housing Executive Chair Nicole Lappin said, “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners: more new Green Flags, with special recognition for the council’s best Eco-School and Eco-Teacher of the Year.

“We would like to reiterate the importance of educating our young people in energy and environmental awareness and taking direct action for the protection of our environment. We believe it is vitally important for them to be fully aware of how precious our world is and that we need to do all we can to protect it.

“We are delighted to support these excellent Eco-Schools NI projects. We’ve been really impressed with the standard of work being produced by teachers, pupils, and the wider community. Their enthusiasm is truly inspirational and we are proud to support them in ensuring a better future for everyone."