CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION
CATHY LEE TALKS TO ONE GOREY PRIMARY SCHOOL THAT’S EMBRACING CLIMATE ACTION AND MARIA PEPPER LEARNS FROM THE EPA ABOUT MAKING ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES
IT has been a busy few months for all involved at Gorey Educate Together as parents, teachers and students came together to have their voices heard and do what they could for taking action on climate change. Teacher Suzanne Keane explained that there has been a protest rally and a homework strike, as well as daily efforts to reduce plastic use and increase recycling habits.
‘Most recently our school community held a protest rally and following this, over 400 pupils plus staff and parents went on a march while waving handmade posters and singing chants. During the rally, fifth and sixth class pupils made speeches, while fourth class led the whole school with the song, ‘Sing for Climate’.
‘It was a powerful performance, and our first class pupils made up a very catchy chant about recycling also,’ she said.
The students are no strangers to a rally, as back in March Gorey Educate Together first took part in a parent-led protest during the school day.
‘On the day, children made speeches and we were all made aware of the school strikes for climate change led by Greta Thunberg,’ said Suzanne.
For the final sitting of the Gorey Municipal District, councillors were presented with a ‘Bee the Change’ piece of art, which was displayed in Gorey Library.
In June, the whole school participated in a homework strike for climate change.
‘Instead of getting written homework, the children spent their free time on projects that benefited their environment. Groups of children cleaned beaches, others planted for biodiversity or picked up litter. Many children learned new skills such as making bees-wax wraps to reduce waste in their lunch boxes or building insect hotels and huts out of recycled wood,’ said Suzanne.
‘Some made furniture out of eco bricks while others learned how to cook vegetarian dishes. Many children wrote letters to politicians requesting environmental policy changes.’
In August, as part of her ongoing efforts to refuse plastic, a third class pupil raised money for Gorey Tidy Towns instead of receiving birthday presents, and a first class student also asked for no birthday gifts for the same reason.
‘In order to reduce the environmental impact of disposable tableware at birthday parties, the school community has donated second-hand reusable plastic tableware to a borrow box that can be rented by families hosting parties. This box of tableware will also be used at school events to reduce waste,’ said Suzanne.
She explained that the school prioritises the environment daily, and there are changes planned.
‘Changes that we will be implementing in the next two months include using eco-friendly cleaning products, reducing paper consumption and single-use plastics, promoting healthy habits by substituting commercial sweets for their plastic wraps and soft drink stalls during events like the Disco night, having home baking instead.
‘Our target is to have all pupils and staff using reusable bottles for lunch by the end of December and to gather a petition of local businesses to stop using single-use plastic tableware, take-away containers, straws, party bags, etc.’