PHOTOS: Schools in Laois pick up major environmental awards
Newtown NS pupils Hannah Kelly and Josh Cummins; teacher Ms Lawlor and SNA Ms Brennan with Karen Moore (Community Climate Action Officer with Laois County Council) at the Green Schools awards. Picture: Alf Harvey.
SCHOOLS in Laois were recognised for their environmental efforts at the Green-Schools Awards ceremony recently that celebrated the schools’ commitment to sustainability.
Under the Green-Schools Programme, schools renew their Green Flag every two years while undertaking a new environmental theme.
Laois County Council supports the programme by delivering targeted workshops and resources to assist schools in achieving their goals and maintaining progress across previously completed themes.
The Environmental Awareness Officer with Laois County Council Samantha McLeod assessed the schools for their awards and commended the impressive standard of work submitted.
The Laois schools that were recognised for their efforts were:
*Heywood Community School. It received their first Green Flag for Litter and Waste.
*Scoil Mhuire National School, Abbeyleix earned their Water Flag for their Walk for Water challenge and their partnership with Nore Vision, a local charity focused on river conservation. It also received a special recognition for their exceptional work on water conservation. Their Green-Schools Committee won the Best Show and Tell presentation on the day, and the school was named Water School of the Year 2025.
*Scoil Naomh Abban National School, Crettyard was awarded the Biodiversity Flag for raising awareness of native plant and animal species.
*Camross National School received the Global Citizenship - Travel Flag for their promotion of active and sustainable modes of transport such as walking, cycling, and carpooling.
*Mountmellick Youthreach was awarded the Travel Flag for supporting active travel to and from events.
*Shanganamore National School was presented with the Global Citizenship – Litter and Waste Flag for exploring the global impact of environmental care and revisiting the Litter and Waste theme.
*Scoil Chomhghain Naofa, Killeshin achieved the Global Citizenship – Marine Environment Flag, demonstrating how even landlocked counties like Laois are connected to the seas through river catchments.
*Rushall National School earned the Global Citizenship – Energy Flag for exploring energy-related issues and the global impact of climate change.
The Community Climate Action Officer with Laois County Council Karen Moore attended the awards ceremony and presented the schools with their theme pennant flags.
Praising the ongoing environmental efforts across the county, Ms Moore said: “It never ceases to amaze, year on year at these awards, the fantastic work that Laois schools do in caring for our environment. The dedication of students, staff and parents involved is to be commended.”
Ms McLeod also expressed her admiration for the schools’ achievements.
She said: “It’s been a real privilege to work with these schools over the past year. The creativity, energy and determination shown by students and staff alike is truly inspiring. Their projects not only meet the criteria, but go beyond in fostering a genuine culture of environmental responsibility within their communities.”
