Here we share further images from our visit to Derrinagree N.S. where we also recorded a sequence for LTV2 Millstreet on such a magnificent range of marvellously creative activities. We also share the School’s Green Energy Plan. Continued…..
Sincere congratulations to the Principal and Dedicated Staff of the School as well as the members of the SAOI Network.
And here we share Derinagree N.S.’s Green Energy Plan:
Below is the Green Energy Code that Derinagree N.S. has adopted.
Use it up…..
Wear it out….
Make it do….
or Do without!
Wear it out….
Make it do….
or Do without!
‘In my Father’s Time…..
Choosing this code came about following a visit from Mary O’ Sullivan & her colleague from the SAOI Group in IRD.
The children were fascinated by the way their Grandparents lived & used (not much) energy……& children got ‘hands-on ‘opportunities to see how it feels to squash into an aluminium bath, ‘shave’ with a cut-throat razor, feel the weight of the iron & even hold an empty ‘potty’! Impressed by our ancestors frugality, the Senior Classes subsequently discovered the saying above which was commmonly used during World War 2. From then on it became the Derinagree Energy Code.
Learning an old skill
It wasn’t enough to be impressed with how our ancestors saved energy however & so we invited a prestigious group of Ladies from Dromtarriffe, themselves experts in the art of knitting & sewing, to share their considerable skills with the children of Derinagree NS. As a result, the children have learned an old skill & can now make their own hats, sew on buttons & make an endless array of decorations & gifts.
It wasn’t enough to be impressed with how our ancestors saved energy however & so we invited a prestigious group of Ladies from Dromtarriffe, themselves experts in the art of knitting & sewing, to share their considerable skills with the children of Derinagree NS. As a result, the children have learned an old skill & can now make their own hats, sew on buttons & make an endless array of decorations & gifts.
Back to the Future…
As well as looking to the past for energy saving ideas, we also looked to the present & to the future. Burning fossil fuels should be a thing of the past. In addition to oil & coal supplies running out in the next 50 years, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is causing rapid Climate Change. Should we continue as we are, our planet unfortunately will not sustain mankind in the future. We may even have to move to the moon! Not a popular message, but one that is becoming more real daily.
So what’s the alternative? We explored some renewable energy ideas & had good fun doing it! One such project was making Solar Ovens.
On a very sunny day in June, we cooked one of Claudio’s finest pizzas, rashers, eggs & tomatoes!
Shortly we will visit a wind turbine in action in Munster Joinery & see how it is a viable alternative to burning oil & coal. As we say in Derinagree…..DON’T BE A FOSSIL FOOL!!
Energy Squads
Our Energy Squad is in operation daily, ensuring everything is switched off & doors are closed at break times.
We’ve had a number of very interesting visitors recently such as Catherine Daly from SEAI who did a wonderful Science Workshop on Energy & Donal O’ Leary came to speak on stopfoodwaste.ie.
Grow it Yourself
The School Garden is gearing up for Spring planting. We’ve already dug in the compost we made. So it’s ‘all systems go’ for the growing season.
Derinagree ‘Superkids Rock the Planet!’
As if all this wasn’t enough, Derinagree School Children performed a Musical at a parish event recently entitled ‘Superkids Rock the Planet!’ The message was clear….. It’s up to us to use & save Green Energy.
Maybe it’s time we listen to our children……
Pam Thornton
Green Schools’ Co-ordinator
Derinagree NS
