NEW SIGNAGE: Staff and students from St Brigid's have designed signage which has been placed outside the three main school gates to encourage cycling and walking. From l-r were: Sheree Murphy (Teacher and Green Schools Coordinator), Teresa O'Sullivan, Anna McGrath, Jessica Leahy, Aideen Mullen, Holly Power and Roisin Moore (Principal).

By Michelle Crean

A new initiative by one local school compliments their COVID Response Plan and now staff are encouraging parents, students and staff to embrace the change.

Staff and students from St Brigid's have designed signage which has been placed outside the three main school gates showing the times and distances it takes to walk from any of the main car parks in town to school.

They're now in talks with Killarney Muncipal Council and hope that other schools will follow their lead in promoting students getting dropped at the different car parks.

"The core message is even more important now as walking and cycling to school and work not only is good for the environment, mental and physical health, but also reduces the potential of congregating at school gates," Sheree Murphy, Green Schools Co-ordinator, explained.

Sheree and her committee comprising of Transition Year students have, over the last two years, been working hard to promote the encouragement of walking and cycling to school.

"For example it only takes five minutes to walk from Beech Road car park to the main school entrance. By students getting dropped here it would decrease the amount of traffic hugely in around the school and would save parents from being stuck in traffic also," Sheree said.

"On the signage you will also see the slogan "A Walk A Day, Keeps the CO2 Away", which Aideen Mullen of Transition Year produced."

St Brigid's received their fourth green flag in May which was for their work in promoting alternative means of travelling to school.