Wellbeing
🧡 Amber Flag and Wellbeing Week🧡
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 for the school year 2025-2026. 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 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. This week we are running a ‘Wellbeing Week’ at our school. Below is some information for you so you can be aware of what is coming up each day.
Wellbeing Week March 23rd-27th 2026
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: Mindset Monday: Lessons on growth vs. fixed mindsets. Secret Kindness Friend Assigned.
- Tuesday: Thankful Tuesday A day to celebrate gratitude! Activities to include 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. School Staff to send each other gratitude cards to receive 'room service' treat.
- Wednesday: Wellbeing Wednesday Focus will be on health and kindness with fruit platters/smoothies served for morning tea, movement activities on yard with new skipping ropes, parachute and elastics, random acts of kindness and learning to be a ‘bucket filler’ and enacting it.
- Thursday: Thoughtful Thursday: Students spread kindness through compliments and thoughtful acts of service both at home and in school e.g. holding a door open for someone and or loading the dishwasher. This is also the day of our Pieta Fundraiser: ‘Inside Out Day/Mismatched Shoes Day’: to show that sometimes our feelings/thoughts can be bottled up and kept inside. Our emotions can feel really big and mixed up when we keep them inside and often times, it is better if we get them out so you can get help/support from a trusted parent/sibling/teacher/friend etc. If possible, children to bring in a small donation to support the great services and work of Pieta.
- Friday: Friendly Friday : A day to ensure everyone feels included. Students will visit buddy classes, for a shared game or books, and will reflect on positive experiences and acts of kindness from the week. Secret Kindness Friends revealed and 'Wellbeing Warriors' awarded a prize. Free Dress Day.
Additional to the week as suggested by the Student Council:
- No written homework all week.
- Students wear PE Uniform Monday-Wednesday.
- Free Dress Day: Friday
- Daily movement breaks at 12 noon.
- Morning mindfulness sessions to take place after intercom announcements.
- A wellbeing table/bench will be set up near the buddy bench.
- Classes will use chalk to write positive affirmations or draw happy pictures on the yard.
We are looking forward to a week filled with positivity and kindness. Please check out the photo and video section to see Wellbeing Week in action!
Thank you to our whole school community for supporting this initiative.