Two Meath schools awarded Green-Schools Water Schools of the Year

Beaufort College, Navan and Dunshaughlin Community College were named as regional Water Schools of the Year at the An Taisce Green-Schools awards, which were held in Dublin.

The schools emerged as regional winners in the secondary school category on the back of their inspirational efforts in water conservation and environmental action.

Beaufort College’s strong culture of reuse and circular economy is evident through initiatives such as the student-run Beaufort Boutique, the Christmas Swap Shop and the Uniform Clinic.

Students are at the heart of water conservation, from leading “Drop Everything and Learn” lesson to managing awareness campaigns on social media. The team also implemented practical actions, such as installing sensor water fountains, distributing reusable bottles to all first-year students, tracking water usage, and maintaining water butts.

The Water Ambassador team at Dunshaughlin Community College worked creatively and collaboratively to build a culture of water stewardship in the community while enhancing green spaces across the school. The team enriched school life by developing water-themed games for students, organising a “Think Before You Flush” campaign, and leading an outing that required participants to bring reusable water bottles. They also contributed to a menstrual hygiene project, promoting sustainable, reusable products to reduce waste entering water systems.

The group planned improvements to their courtyard and pond area, making it more suitable for wildlife such as frogs, while also creating a welcoming space for students. They also support biodiversity by cultivating the mini forest they won from Coill na nÓg with harvested rainwater.

Cathy Baxter, An Taisce Director of Education, said: “The Green-Schools Water Awards are one of the highlights of our year. They celebrate the creativity, commitment and teamwork of students and teachers working together to protect one of our most precious resources: water. These young people are leading by example and showing that real environmental change begins in our schools and communities. We’re so proud of their efforts and inspired by their impact.”

Uisce Éireann’s Head of Customer Operations, Geoffrey Bourke, who was on-hand at the award ceremonies said:

“The vital work being done by Green-Schools in schools across Ireland is clearly bearing fruit in terms of how our young people think about water and the need to conserve and respect it. We in Uisce Éireann are proud of our long-standing sponsorship of the programme.”

Throughout the current academic year, An Taisce has been engaging with 450 schools on the Water Flag, working with over 100,000 students and 10,000 teachers across the country.

The Green-Schools water theme is a grassroots sponsorship that aims to foster awareness and understanding of a range of activities, tailored to students at both primary level and secondary level. In addition to developing awareness around water conservation, the sponsorship incorporates wider engagement around stewardship of our water resources.