The Green Schools Programme is run by An Taisce in association with Dublin City Council. The Programme is a European initiative which seeks to bring environmental thinking into the everyday running of schools throughout the EU.

In recognition of the environmental achievements of St. Matthew’s, Sandymount in recycling all its waste, keeping its immediate locality litter-free and planting and maintaining its own vegetable garden, the school was recently awarded its own green flag, now flying proudly in Cranfield Place.

At a ceremony to mark the occasion in May, the head of An Taisce, Gavin Hart was present, along with many of the area’s public representatives.

The honour of raising the Green Flag was given to past pupil and present-day RTE newsreader, Brian Dobson, pictured left. Children of St. Matthew’s sang a couple of environmentally-themed songs with lyrics penned by the pupils themselves.

After the speeches and flag unveiling, Brian was presented with a copy of his school reports from his time there in the not-too-distant past!

The ceremony also included the opening of the pupils’ art exhibition on the theme of the environment. Every school child contributed a painting, with some group work also included.
An art auction was held the next day with each painting sold to the highest bidder. All proceeds went towards funding the ongoing needs of St. Matthew’s.