AS part of the novel Green Schools initiative, St Brigid’s Secondary School in Killarney is embracing a new campaign aimed at encouraging alternative means of travelling to and from school in order to reduce congestion outside the school entrance.
The 5 Days 5 New Ways project also focuses on the health and wellbeing of the student by encouraging them to walk and cycle to school whenever possible. The school also hopes to promote the very topical issue of climate change by reducing carbon emissions.
The Greens Schools Committee launched the Park and Stride initiative which saw students being dropped off at main car parks, including Beech Road and Lidl, and completing the short journey to school on foot. Car-pooling and cycling were other modes of transport trialled.
Green Schools Co-ordinator and teacher, Sheree Murphy, remarked: “The support from various organisations such as Killarney Gardaí, the Killarney Tidy Towns Committee and Mayor of Killarney, John Sheahan, has been phenomenal”.
She added: “I think everyone would like to see the public particularly, students, getting more active in the morning as it is not only beneficial to our health but also to the environment and Killarney town itself.” A
The KillarneyTidy Towns committee who sponsored a €30 voucher per day for any student who got involved in the 5 Days 5 New Ways initiative.
GAA legend Colm Cooper, representing AIB, also sponsored a voucher for students who got involved in two or more mornings while Kerry footballer and All-star winner, Sarah Houlihan, was also on hand to encourage more walking to school.
Mayor of Killarney, Cllr John Sheahan, commended the teachers and the students for their initiative in trying to drive a change in behaviour around the whole issue of transport.
“The development of safe, accessible walking and cycling routes in Killarney is of vital importance to the long term development of the town,” he said.
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