Mayo school receives Green-Schools Water Schools of the Year award

BALLYHAUNIS Community School has been named a regional Water Schools of the Year at the An Taisce Green-Schools awards.

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

Ballyhaunis Community School shows a strong commitment to water awareness through a range of engaging, student-led initiatives. Students took part in hands-on activities such as monitoring water usage. They also researched local and global water sources and shared their findings with peers, promoting awareness across the school.

Creativity was a key element of the programme. In collaboration with the art dDepartment, students created a large-scale piece titled 'Water World', along with posters and visual displays promoting water conservation.

Another highlight was a whole-school soccer blitz. Organised by transition year students with a fifth year geography class, each team represented a drought-affected African country, linking sport with global water issues.

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.”