Green Schools Theme 2 – Energy

1. Green SchoolsTheme 2 – Energy Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny

2. Green Schools Committee • Pupils are selected to represent each class from second to sixth. • To become a committee member the pupils are “interviewed” by their teachers. • There must be a willingness to work, to bring news from meetings back to class and generally buy into the Green Schools ideals. • We are always reminding the pupils that everybodyis responsible for caring for the environment in our school.

3. Green Schools Committee • 2nd Class – Oran Watters • 3rd Class - James Ryan • 4th Class - John Ryan, Eoin Southgate • 5th Class - Kieran Walshe, Jason Phelan • 6th Class - Michael Bergin, Jack Morrissey • Waste Monitors – Jason Phelan, Mick Kelly • Energy Monitors – Kian Drennan, Aaron Kirwan • Green Schools Co-ordinator – Ms. Stone The members of the committee were chosen by the Green Schools co-ordinator. These members in turn inform their fellow class mates about decisions taken at Green School committee meetings and developments relating to the action plan through presentations and/or assemblies.

4. Green Schools Committee • Meetings are held once a month during school time. • Responsibilities are shared as follows: • 2nd Class & 3rd Class = Performing the lighting audit and ensuring lights are switched off in any room that is unoccupied • 4th Class = Reading the Electricity Meter every Friday, recording the reading in the Log Sheet as well as the amounts of units (Kilowatts) used that week and updating the trend graph (see slide) • 5th Class = Performing the Appliance Audit, ensuring all appliances are switched off when not required, assist 2nd and 3rd class representatives with “lights off” surveillance • 6th Class = Checking the level in the oil tank every Friday and recording in the Log Sheet and updating the trend graph (see slide), performing and recording findings from pupil surveys on energy awareness • Waste Monitors = Continue work in ensuring all recyclable items are placed in the appropriate bins and that the bins are ready for collection on every Friday (recyclable/waste on alternate weeks)

5. Environmental Review The Current Situation • Heating = We currently use oil to heat our school building. The heating system is fitted with a temperature gauge that allows the system to operate if the temperature drops below a set level. It is possible to operate the system manually also. • Electricity & Lighting = We have a standard electrical system in place in the school. All rooms use standard fluorescent tubular lights (90 watt). • Recycling / Waste Management = Waste Monitors are in place since last Green Flag application to ensure we are recycling appropriate materials (including phones, ink, etc. at our recycling station in the school corridor)

6. Environmental Review The Current Situation • We are a radon free school. • We currently have a C1 Energy rating (see attached) • Doors to outside areas are kept closed at every opportunity to ensure there is no heat loss, particularly at winter time. • Heating system is also serviced annually.

7. Environmental Review The Current Situation • As a result of our Green Survey, we also found out the following: • We use up a lot of our electrical energy with computers and interactive whiteboards • The heating system is well managed with heating only required for certain parts of the day, even on cold days • Our waste monitors perform their duties well

8. Environmental Review • To begin our work, we conducted two audits of our school: • A lighting audit • An electrical appliance audit • We also commenced an investigation into the following: • How much oil were we using for heating our school each week? • How much electricity were we using to power our school each week? • Waste Monitors were re-trained in ensuring all appropriate material is recycled and that they were given the opportunity to speak to all classes about their role and what each pupil must do to help.

9. How much heating oil are we using each week in our school? From March 2012 until June 2012

10. How much heating oil are we using each week in our school? From August 2012 until October 2012

11. How many units of Electricity are we using every week in our school? From March 2012 until June 2012

12. How many units of Electricity are we using every week in our school? From August 2012 until October 2012

13. Lighting Survey

14. Electrical Appliance Survey

15. Draughts and Insulation Survey At the beginning of the school year in year 2 we examined the school to find out where we might be losing heat and wasting energy. We discovered the following areas which need improvements:

16. Energy Questionnaire We conducted an energy questionnaire to find out how much energy we are using at home and to get our parents to think about ways to save energy at home. We sent energy saving tips home with the questionnaire and published the results on our school website with a reminder to parents on how they can save energy. These were the results:

17. Energy Questionnaire results contd.

18. Energy Questionnaire results contd.

19. Action Plan

20. Action Plan

21. Action Plan “The main goal is to first create awareness and then act on it”

22. Curriculum Links Other Examples Will be used throughout

23. Energy Action Day • We held an Action Day on Friday, October 12th. • At the start of the day, we took a meter reading and did the same at the end of the day. • During the day, we did not use any equipment that needs electricity as much as possible, for example, interactive whiteboards and computers, CD players, etc. • We also tried not to turn on any lights in any part of the school. • We found that we significantly reduced the amount of energy we used on a normal school day. • 5 units of electricity, no change in oil level!

24. Making contact with the school community and wider community • Our Parents Association have been a great help in promoting our Energy Saving message. • We text parents regularly with information and updates an dour website is updated to keep the community informed of our progress. • We have displayed posters in local shops, etc. to promote the Energy Saving message. • We undertook a walk to school day (if possible for those not travelling by bus) • We have used local media to promote our message also.

25. Our Green Code We have three key parts to our Green Code • Lighting “When we are all out, switch it off!” • Heating “Keep your head, don’t lose the heat!” • Recycling/Waste Management “We work as a team to keep it clean”

26. Our Green Code • The Code was put together by the Green School Committee • It is on display in the main corridor of our school and on our website • Other relevant Green School information is displayed along with our Green Code

27. What has this done for our School? • The Green Schools Programme has had a real positive influence on our school population • Everyone is consumed by their individual responsibilities and perform them without prompting • Parents have been very supportive of the children’s efforts • The parish community have also been very co-operative towards the schools effort to create a cleaner environment in our locality.