​The Green Schools Committee welcome three new members to continue the work of past members who have left to go on to secondary school. There is much work to be done as the school works towards it's 11th Green School Flag on Travel and Global Citizenship. Many exciting ideas have been discussed at the first meeting of the year and the committee look forward to endeavoring to make our world a better place. We can't wait!

Cloonlyon NS pupils were out and about this week working towards their Explorer Award as part of the Eco Rangers programme organised by Bord na Móna. Pupils learn about the importance of biodiversity and the wonderful flora and fauna in their own locality.

The Green Schools Committee had a busy day on Friday, 9th March 2018. The Committee gave a presentation on a product called Thieves Oil to the pupils and parents of Cloonlyon NS. They invited to everybody to test out the cleaning properties of the Thieves Oil and encourage families to make their own. Many thanks to our caretaker, Joy McDonnell, who is using this chemical free substance to clean the tables in Cloonlyon NS. Every little action we can do helps helps protect our Marine Environment.

Cloonlyon NS Green Schools Committee are hard at work informing the student and parent bodies about the effects of Marine Litter on  our marine environment both locally and internationally.   One of our main projects has been to test and produce a non toxic everyday cleaner. We found out about an ancient remedy called 'Thieves Oil'. This oil has antibacterial properties using a concoction of herbs and spices.  

OUR HOMEMADE THIEVES OIL RECIPE:
This is a multi-purpose cleaner that is gentle to all surfaces – chemical free with the most fabulous smell! If you would like to turn your Thieves oil into a window cleaner add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to some of the solution.
Recipe: 
Skin of 2 lemons
4 cinnamon sticks
A couple of sprigs of fresh lavender (or 2-3 drops of oil)
1 tbsp of cloves
1 pint of water
5-6 drops of eucalyptus oil
5-6 drops of rosemary oil or fresh rosemary
Put the lemon skins, cinnamon sticks, lavender, cloves and water into a pot, bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for approximately 30 minutes. Add 5-6 drops of eucalyptus oil and 5-6 drops of rosemary oil and stir well. Leave to sit for about 3 hours. Strain the liquid into a jug. In a spray bottle put 1 part concentrated mixture to 3 parts water. If you would like to turn your Thieves Oil into a window cleaner add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar.

Both pupils and parents took advantage of the lovely sunny weather this week and took part in our Walk On Wednesday or WOW campaign in the school. 

As part of our Green Flag award this year we have looked at Global Citizenship. This gets us thinking about how we have an effect not only on our local community but on our global community. Above is pictured a notice board which the pupils of Cloonlyon NS have created to show how we can all do our bit.

Some of our posters created for WOW! (Walk On Wednesday)