Awards / Initiatives

In 2023, St. Columba’s Girls National School with Facility for Deaf Children was proudly awarded its 9th Green Flag, a remarkable achievement that reflects our long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship. The Green-Schools Programme, known internationally as Eco-Schools, is a leading global initiative in environmental education, encouraging schools to take meaningful action for a more sustainable world. It promotes environmental awareness, responsible management, and community involvement through a structured award system. Our beautiful school and vibrant campus have flourished thanks to the dedication of our entire school community, who continue to embrace and invest in the Green Schools ethos. This recognition is a testament to the collective effort, pride, and care we place in protecting our environment and nurturing a greener future for all.

http://www.greenschoolsireland.org/

The Student Council provides students with a valuable opportunity to have a voice and represent their classmates. Members meet regularly to express and share ideas, interests, and concerns, helping to shape a positive and inclusive school environment. Through their involvement, students develop important skills such as negotiation, compromise, and effective communication.
Representatives from Second to Sixth Class, including those from the Deaf Classes, actively advocate for student voice within the school community. As part of their role, council members help organise events, collaborate with various stakeholders, and communicate feedback from their peers. They are proud ambassadors of the values and ethos of St. Columba’s Girls’ National School with Facility for Deaf Children, working to ensure every student feels heard, respected, and included.

The Farmers Club, run by Ms. Forsythe and Ms. McGuire, meets every Tuesday after school and provides students with hands-on experience in growing and caring for vegetables. It offers a unique opportunity for children to learn about sustainable gardening, healthy eating, and the importance of local food production. Over the past three years, the club has proudly organized three farmers markets each year, where students sell the produce they’ve grown themselves. These markets not only raise funds to support the continued development of the school garden but also help foster a strong sense of responsibility, teamwork, and community spirit among the students. The club has become a much-loved part of school life, inspiring a new generation to appreciate the value of nature and the rewards of growing your own food.

St. Columba’s Girls National School with Facility for Deaf Children is proud to be one of only 15 Irish primary schools selected as a Changemaker School within the DCU Changemaker Schools Network. This national network is a vibrant community of practice dedicated to sharing and promoting best practices in innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship in education. As part of this network, our school embraces changemaking leadership approaches that nurture key values such as empathy, creativity, leadership, and teamwork. We actively encourage all of our students to see themselves as Changemakers, capable of making a positive difference in their communities and beyond. Through this work, we proudly support the vision and mission of the DCU Institute of Education to transform the education system for the better