Ashbourne Community School (ACS) is a secondary school of approximately 950 pupils, located along the N2 in Ashbourne, Co. Meath. ACS has been involved in Green Schools since 2001 and has already received three green flags for their excellent work on reducing litter and waste, and conserving energy and water. They began to work on the travel theme in September 2007.
ACS has a very active Green Schools Committee. At the start of each school year, the transition year students on the committee interview and select new members to join Green-Schools team. New students interested in being on the committee must submit a brief application outlining why he or she would like to be a member of the GS committee. The committee have a section on the school’s website dedicated to Green Schools which is kept updated regularly.
In the 2007/08 school year, the school launched WOW days with great success. To raise awareness and to promote Walk To School Week in May 2008, a poster competition was launched to the 1st and 2nd classes.
In May 2008, 2nd Year student Luke Brennan won a prize in the An Taisce Green Schools Travel Postcard competition 2008 Fitter-Faster-Stronger. He won a bike with safety equipment for himself and a digital camera for the school.
For the 2008/09 school year, ACS has already gotten off to a great start. ACS was selected by An Taisce to participate in a photoshoot designed to promote sustainable modes of transport to school. A photographer went out to the school to take photos of any transition year student interested in participating. Nearly 100 students turned up! All students were very eager and enthusiastic. 12 students were selected to come to Dublin to have their photos taken showing them walking, cycling, on the bus and car pooling. The shots will be used by An Taisce to promote sustainable modes of transport to secondary schools throughout the country.
As part of their work towards the travel flag this year, ACS is very eager to promote cycling to school. To assist with this aim, An Taisce has provided the school with a cycle shelter and stands. The school hopes to be able to offer cycle training to interested students.