Wellbeing
🧡 Amber Flag 🧡
We are very excited to announce that here at Scoil N. Mhuire we are embarking on a new adventure. We are taking on the challenge of obtaining a new Amber Flag. We received our last one for 2023-2024.
The Pieta Amber Flag Initiative recognises the individual efforts of primary and secondary schools, youth reach, third level institutions, community groups, clubs and companies to create healthy, inclusive environments that support mental well-being. (Pieta) For more information on the fantastic work Pieta are involved in, visit; www.pieta.ie
In 2019, the Department of Education and Skills and the Health Service Executive jointly launched Wellbeing in Primary Schools- Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion. These guidelines aim to promote mental health and wellbeing in primary schools.
It is recognised in these guidelines that positive mental health and wellbeing enables young people to lead fulfilling lives. Home and family are recognised as the primary source of nurturing and support for children. However, mental health and well-being are recognised as everyone’s concern and involves the whole school community, parents/guardians and others involved in day-to-day school life. Positive mental health for children is part of their overall health and is inextricably linked with wellbeing.
In order to promote positive mental health and wellbeing at Scoil N.Mhuire, we have decided to take part in the Amber Flag Initiative again. This involves the whole school community coming together in order to create a safe, positive and healthy attitude towards our general physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Our Amber Flag Goals are:
1️⃣ Create a Wellbeing notice board in school and update it regularly
2️⃣ Organise a fundraiser for Pieta
3️⃣ Move More: Shared Active School Breaks for one month and continue the Walk and Talk
4️⃣ Run a Wellbeing Week in March
5️⃣ Buddy Classes: Connect with Buddy classes at least once a month
In order to undertake all these goals/activities we have formed an Amber Flag Committee. This committee is led by staff and students coordinating this new initiative.
Health Promoting Schools.
We at Cloneygowan National School, are a Health Promoting School. This is a whole school initiative that sees involvement from the entire school. Our Motto is that a ''Healthy School is a Happy School'' & we firmly believe that our Health is better than our Wealth, or as gaeilge ''Is fearr an t-Sláinte ná na Táinte.
We believe that everyone's wellbeing can be boosted through the promotion of a healthy diet, exercise & a fun learning environment.
Our school was awarded the Health Promoting Schools (HPS) Flag a few years ago. Gaining this award, involved a lot of collaboration & teamwork!
Wellbeing Week March 24th-28th 2025
We are excited to share the activities planned for Wellbeing Week, designed to promote mindfulness, gratitude, kindness, and positivity among students. Here's a quick overview of the daily themes and activities:
- Monday: Mindful Monday Students practiced mindfulness through meditation, breathing exercises, and mindful colouring. They also started creating posters for our wellbeing competition.
- Tuesday: Thankful Tuesday A day to celebrate gratitude! Activities included creating a Thankful Chart and Gratitude Chain, writing thank-you post-its, and taking a thankful walk as part of our “Walk and Talk” in the mornings.
- Wednesday: Wellbeing Wednesday Focused on health and kindness with fruit platters, movement activities, random acts of kindness, quiet reflection time, and wellbeing wishes.
- Thursday: Thoughtful Thursday Students spread kindness through compliments, mindful moments, listening exercises, and helping others.
- Friday: Friendly Friday A day to ensure everyone felt included. Students visited mentor classes, shared games or books, and reflected on positive experiences and acts of kindness from the week.
Additional to the week as suggested by the Student Council:
- No written homework all week.
- Students wore tracksuits daily.
- Morning mindfulness sessions took place after intercom announcements.
- A wellbeing table/bench was set up near the buddy bench.
- Classes used chalk to write affirmations or drew happy pictures in the yard.
We had a week filled with positivity and kindness.
Thank you for supporting this initiative.