Active School Flag
Active School Flag (ASF) is a Department of Education and Skills initiative supported by Healthy Ireland, and part of the National Physical Activity Plan. The Active Flag initiative provides schools with a framework to guide, support and incentivise them to work towards achieving a physically educated and physically active school community. In 2019 St. Mary’s Central School was officially designated an Active School and we still retain that status. Once awarded, ASF remains valid for a period of 3 years, after which time schools are invited to re-engage with the process.
Junior Entrepreneur Programme
For a number of years, our 5th and 6th class students have successfully taken part in the Junior Entrepreneur programme and have subsequently been awarded the Junior Entrepreneur Flag. This is a national programme which promotes entrepreneurship at primary school level. Under their teacher’s guidance, and with the inspiration of local entrepreneurs, pupils discover their strengths as individuals and as part of a team. Together, they choose, invest in and produce their own product or service from scratch, all the way to making it available for sale at a school-hosted JEP Showcase Day – and enjoying the profits at the end.
Green Schools
Green-Schools is Ireland’s leading environmental management and award programme, working with primary and secondary schools across the country. Promoting long-term, whole-school action for the environment Green-Schools is a student-led programme with involvement from the wider community. We at St. Mary’s currently hold that prestigious Green Schools status. In fact we have consistently engaged with the programme over several years and as a result of our continuous effective whole school action, have achieved Green Schools status in the following numerous themes
- Litter & Waste
- Energy
- Water
- Travel
- Biodiversity
- Global Citizenship – Litter & Waste
- Global Citizenship – Energy
- Global Citizenship – Marine Environment
We’re currently engaging with our new theme; Global Citizenship – Travel and we hope our efforts will be acknowledged before June 2024 with a further renewal of our Green Schools status!
Sciath na Scol
Sciath na Scol is a schools based organisation which organises Gaelic games in the primary schools of Cork city and county. We have a fantastic tradition and record here at St. Mary’s Central School in football, hurling and camogie, regularly competing in finals, winning many of them.
Discover Primary Science
The Discover Primary Science and Maths Programme (DPSM) aims to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among students, teachers and members of the public. The award process is a great way of involving everyone in science throughout the school. St. Mary’s participate in this fantastic programme annually and we’ve been successful in achieving recognition for our efforts every year thus far!
Pieta Amber Flag
The Pieta Amber Flag Initiative recognises the efforts of primary schools in creating healthy, inclusive environments that support mental well-being. In 2019 St. Mary’s Central School was recognised for such efforts by the awarding of the Flag to our school!