We have been working hard for the past two years towards achieving our second Green Flag for the theme of Energy. The current Green Schools Committee is made up of:

Mr. Coakley, Mr. Twomey, Ms. Jessie Murphy, Mrs. Julianne O Leary

Pupils: Rang 6: Finn Stevenson, Clodagh O Riordan.

Rang 5: Nora-Kate O Leary, Shauna Lehane, Sarah Cuddihy, Michael O Riordan

Minutes are kept of each meeting and are typed up by the pupils. Information is communicated to staff, pupils and parents through newsletters, notes, verbal messages to each classroom and use of our Green Schools noticeboard. Over the past two years we have looked at our energy usage in relation to heating, lighting and electrical appliances and worked to reduce our energy bills. We will shortly be visited and inspected to see if we meet the requirements for our second green flag.

Our day of action was held on Tuesday, February 21st 2017. The main events included:

 Construction of Wind Turbine from Renewable Energy Science Kit

 Trialling of turbine in schoolyard and using energy created to light a bulb

 Energy Workshop in Senior classes with focus on renewable energy sources

 Demonstration of solar lamps and how they work (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th)

 Composing and performing “Energy Raps”

 Judging and prize giving ceremony for winning rap

 3rd and 4th class Energy poster competition

 3rd and 4th class Energy poetry writing competition

 Reading aloud of all poems and discussion of themes

 1st and 2nd class watch a video on windmills and wrote and displayed information sheets

on energy

 1st and 2nd class Windmill construction and display

 Junior and Senior Infants Energy and forces P.E. class

 Junior and Senior Infants Energy art work display

 Placing of “Múch na Soilse” labels on all light switches

 Switch Off Sheriffs checking all rooms and hallways for lights left on unnecessarily

Our Energy Rap

 Wind, water and the sun,

Is the energy source for the long run

Saving energy is really cool,

We save lots at Rusheen School,

We try to save it every day,

Turn off the lights when we go to play.

Wind, water and the sun,

Is the energy source for the long run

By saving energy all year round,

Money savings will be found,

all the world will benefit,

If we all get involved in it.

Wind, water and the sun,

Is the energy source for the long run

We save energy in this place,

If you use too much you’re a disgrace,

We save energy for the next generation,

By doing this we help every nation.

Wind, water and the sun,

Is the energy source for the long run