Bray Tidy Towns at Loreto Bray
The Bray Tidy Towns at Loreto Bray initiative is a joint venture between Bray Tidy Towns and Loreto Bray, bringing together local people, teachers and students with a strong environmental focus.
The mission of the initiative is to support youth mental health through outdoor programmes, promote climate change and environmental justice awareness, and encourage STEM and local heritage education. This work is strengthened by Loreto Bray’s continued progress through the Green Schools programme.
With the support of Bray Tidy Towns, Loreto Bray has achieved the Litter and Waste and Water Green Flags and is now working towards Travel, Energy and Biodiversity flags.
“Do good, and do it well.”
Mary Ward
Sustainable Development Goals in Action
1. No Poverty
The Honesty Box
The honesty box supports produce grown in the cottage garden, including herbs, vegetables and fruit. People are invited to pay what they can for the produce.
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2. Zero Hunger
DIY Vegetable Beds
The TY Horticulture class teaches students about growing their own food, eating seasonally and growing from seed, tuber and sapling.
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3. Good Health and Wellbeing
The Farm Shop
The Horticulture Club created raised beds to grow vegetables and herbs which are sold through the school farm shop. Funds raised support the polytunnel and future planting projects.
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4. Quality Education
The Little Library
Created in partnership with Bray Tidy Towns and Sidmonton Park Residents Association, the Little Library provides free reading material for the local community.
Environment Olympics
Loreto Bray worked alongside local schools including Presentation College Bray and Coláiste Raithín on an initiative focused on biodiversity.
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5. Gender Equality
Students welcomed speakers from the Irish Women’s Council to discuss the impact of climate change on women and the importance of climate justice activism.
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6, 7 & 14. Water and Energy
Beach Cleans
Students participate in beach cleans as part of Water Week and water conservation awareness.
Water Testing
The Environment Committee uses kick tests to test the quality of the local river and identify possible solutions.
Water Butt & Pond
Rainwater is collected for use in the cottage garden and polytunnel, while the TY Horticulture class also created a wildlife pond for pollinators.
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8, 10 & 11. Community Projects
Bulb Pots for Nursing Homes
TY students created spring bulb planters for local nursing homes using donated bulbs.
The Foraged Kitchen Experience
Students took part in a foraging experience and learned about local edible plants, including making pancakes using Three-Cornered Leek.
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9 & 12. Innovation and Sustainability
Fast Fashion Awareness
A pop-up event allowed students to shop pre-loved Debs outfits while also raising awareness of the impact of fast fashion.
Clothes swaps, Christmas jumper swaps and uniform swaps are also held throughout the year.
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13. Climate Action
Litter Picks
TY students take part in community clean-up projects with Bray Tidy Towns.
ReTurn Initiative
Students actively promote the use of ReTurn bins, with funds raised supporting the polytunnel and planting projects.
Recycling and Composting
The school has extensive recycling facilities, compost bins and leaf composting systems.
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15. Life on Land
Bulb Planting
Students planted hundreds of bulbs throughout the community.
Insect Census and Information Boards
TY students carried out a flora and fauna census and created information boards highlighting biodiversity on the school grounds.
Bee Skeps
Handmade bee skeps were created to support pollinators and biodiversity.
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The Farm Shop
The Little Library
Partnerships and Community
Loreto Bray is well known for its strong community and charitable links. Everything the school does is rooted in the values of Justice, Sincerity, Freedom, Truth and Joy.
The school has worked with a wide range of organisations and was delighted to welcome back past pupil Victoria Ivory and her Concern colleagues for Mary Ward Day celebrations and a Global Café focused on climate justice.
Environment Committee
The Environment Committee meets every month to discuss issues relating to the school and local environment. Members come from all year groups and are led by the Environment Prefect, who liaises with Bray Tidy Towns.