Portlaoise school named Ireland’s Sustainable Travel School of the Year

Congratulations are in order for Portlaoise school Scoil Chríost Rí, as it was named Ireland’s Sustainable Travel School of the Year at a ceremony in Dublin on Thursday, April 3.

An Taisce Green-Schools presented the school with their award at the event honouring the winners of this year’s Green-Schools Big Travel Challenge in Haughton House, Dublin Zoo. Three other schools were also awarded on the day for their efforts promoting sustainable and active travel modes to school.

Schools took on the Big Travel Challenge from February 4-14 during which they were asked to concentrate on one or more sustainable transport modes for two weeks to see if they could achieve real, lasting change in the travel behaviour of their staff and students. 

Scoil Chríost Rí excelled and truly embraced the challenge. Throughout, they saw a record number of students actively taking part in the challenge and managed to double their park and stride numbers, with almost half of the school walking or wheeling. They also organised a 'Galentines WOW' (Walk on Wednesday) Day, linking in their walking with friendships, positive relationships and forming healthy habits. 

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Congratulating Scoil Chríost Rí and the other awarded schools on their achievements, Green-Schools Travel Programme Manager, Allison Phillips said, “It was truly inspiring to see students from across the country taking on the challenge to ‘love our health, love our planet’ by supporting active and sustainable travel to school through the Green-Schools Travel’s Big Travel Challenge. Your work is testament to the collaborative work of the students, teachers and whole school community, as well as our partnerships with Local Authorities, the National Transport Authority and Department of Transport.”

The top schools from each county were awarded, with a regional winner chosen from them. The Staffroom Challenge was back by popular demand as well, extending the competition to school teachers and staff to travel more sustainably and get creative in doing so.

Other initiatives also included best carpool karaoke, most creative classroom workshops and best social media post.