In 2021, 2 year students Hannah, Jack, and Liam approached Ms. Troy with the idea of creating a council for environmentally conscious students. From this, the Student Environmental Council was born. What began as a small group has grown to include 22 students representing all year levels, supported by Ms Troy, Ms Healion and Ms Harbourne.
The council is entirely student-led, with all initiatives developed and driven by its members. It is divided into action groups, each focusing on key environmental issues and creative ways to raise awareness within the school community:
The Litter & Waste group is implementing a new classroom bin system to improve recycling.
The Air Pollution group will survey traffic emissions and measure air quality.
The Fast Fashion group is educating others about the environmental and ethical impact of the clothing industry.
The Eco-Activism group is collaborating with other West Wicklow schools to promote joint sustainability projects.
This year’s main focus is biodiversity, inspired by hosting the 2025 West Wicklow Youth Biodiversity Conference. After exploring Glen Ding Forest with expert Patrick Hunt and learning about local wildlife and invasive species, members were inspired to create a Biodiversity Garden on school grounds , a space to support native species and environmental learning. The council believes that every action counts, and through teamwork and creativity, aims to make a lasting impact on the school and wider Blessington community