The following report has been written by a group of sixth class students
(2003-2004).

When we came back from the summer holidays, what is now a painted wall was a dull grey wall. The wall was an ugly grey block wall. The area that was to be changed was a green space that we were not allowed to play in as it was out of bounds. On wet days there was not enough room to play on the tarmac. The new space was a ‘no-go’ area.

Last summer a new playground for the younger classes was built. This new tarmac space was sponsored by O Neill Bros. Contractors. Now the infants have a safe place to play on wet days. Next year we are going to have markings on the tarmac for different games. It is also great for P.E.

When the tarmac was put in, there was new seed sown over the soil and outside of the tarmac. About six or seven months later the seeds grew into a smooth lawn. It was great to see the new grass growing. Gordon the Caretaker mows this part of the grounds and makes it like a garden. It now looks really great.

Planted Flowers

Over the school term there were 400 daffodils and 200 tulips planted. Every pupil in the school planted a daffodil or two and a single tulip. These flowers grew into beautiful colourful and healthy flowers in April. We will see the flowers growing here for many years to come.

During National Tree week two students from each class helped plant a large oak tree in the school grounds. They also planted 20 other trees around the school. These trees will be here for many years to come.

Three recycle bins were put into each class: paper, plastic bottles and cartons and a green waste bin. There are also three recycle bins outside and a new composter. Every week the litter is collected and recycled. Every week a class is on litter warden duty and they go out to collect all the litter around the school yard. The school looks great free of litter. We also send one less bin to the dump.

Firstly the grey walls were painted a light yellow colour. Then an artist came and drew the outline sketch of the drawing. Seven drawings were painted, one for each classroom. Then each class went out and painted their sketches. When they were all finished the murals looked brilliant. Everyone that comes to the school admires them.

Flower beds have been planted beside the new playground from flowers and shrubs that we recycled from the stone boat that was there before the new extension started. Some of the flowers planted were: Ø Boston Ivy Ø Ivy of Uraguay Ø Virginian Creeper Ø Parlhenocissus Quinquefolia

On the bare walls that have no murals, there were creepers planted to spread over them. After a couple of months the creepers will have spread over the bare walls to make the blank walls look well. We will paint the wall green while we wait to see the creepers grow.

· Tidy up behind the trees · Paint games on the new tarmac · Start a flower garden · Tidy beside the wall at Oriel Cove ·Keep Recycling · Keep our school tidy · The exterior boundary wall of the school facing the John Kirk Estate to be painted and a number of murals to be artistically sketched similar to these on the inside wall

· O Neill Bros. for the donation of the new playground.
· Clogherhead Development Group for the donation of 1000 Euro for the promotion of recycling and the environment at the school.
· Mrs. Callaghan for co-ordinating the project.
· The teachers and staff at the school in assisting with projects.
· Catherine Kirwan for her artistic eye and organizing the painting.
· Anthony Corrigan who sketched the murals.
· Gordon Hay who helped with most things.
· And finally ALL THE CHILDREN OF CALLYSTOWN N.S. who have been involved in everything that has been done.

This project won third prize in the Co. Louth section of the ESB Primary Schools Environmental Awareness Awards 2004 and was awarded BEST NEW ENTRY in the Louth Local Authorities Primary School Environment Competition 2004.

Scoil Náisiúnta Baile na gCailleach, Ceann Chlochair, Co. Lú.