Shared Education: Down High and SPGS pupils mark Earth Hour

Pupils from Down High School and Saint Patrick’s Grammar School are involved in an ‘All-Island Schools 4 Climate Action’ programme. They secured a symbolic first on Saturday 26 March. The lights at Stormont were switched off for one hour. Thanks go to Mr Harry Harvey MLA and Mr Colin McGrath MLA for helping to make this happen. Mr harvey was able to enable two students and a member of staff from each school to access the grounds of the Parliament Buildings on Saturday evening to view this moment - the first time Stormont's lights have been switched off for 'Earth Hour.' The floodlights that illuminate several public buildings in Downpatrick, including Down Cathedral and Saint Patrick’s Church, were likewise turned off, joining 190 countries across the globe in this symbolic ‘Earth Hour’. Pupils from both schools also took part in a Downpatrick community litter pick, filling a large trailer with the refuse that they collected. They then observed the switch-off from the vantage point of Gallows Hill.