St Naul's NS wins Green-Schools Primary Biodiversity School of the Year

St Naul’s National School in Keelogs has won the Green-Schools Primary Biodiversity School of the Year.

The school was chosen from the 120 schools who were awarded their Green Flag for Biodiversity this year. All schools who were awarded the Green Flag for Biodiversity must work on the programme for at least two years and follow a seven-step programme before applying to be awarded with the flag. The two winning schools went above and beyond on their work to improve their school grounds and local communities for wildlife through practical actions and awareness raising.  

St Naul’s National School were presented with their award during the Green-Schools Award Ceremony in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny  on Tuesday, May 27, with students Odhrán O'Sullivan and Ella McHugh there to accept the award on behalf of the school, along with their teachers Carmel McDaid and Maura Gavigan. The award was presented by Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Niamh Kennedy and Green Schools Biodiversity Coordinator, Clare Patten.

“St Naul’s dedication to improving their school grounds for wildlife as part of their work on the biodiversity theme was impressive, as was the creation of an environment to allow students to learn about and connect with nature,” said a spokesperson. “With the addition of native trees, log piles, bird feeders, a polytunnel and even an outdoor classroom, the school grounds sound like the perfect place to observe nature.

“The impact of St Naul’s work was clear to see with students’ awareness of biodiversity improving drastically over the course of their work on the theme during the two-year period. The school also had great links with their community and went beyond the school gates in their journey to learn about and help biodiversity.”

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This is the second year that Green Schools have selected one primary school and one secondary school to be awarded as the Green Schools Biodiversity School of the Year, with Mercy Secondary School in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath winning the Secondary School prize.