We are very excited to announce that here at Firies N.S. we are embarking on a new adventure. Following on from the success of the Green School Flag and Active School Flag Initiatives, we are now taking on the challenge of obtaining an Amber Flag.
Recently, Minsters Jan O’Sullivan and Kathleen Lynch jointly launched Well-Being in Primary Schools- Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion. This is the result of a joint collaboration between the Department of Education and Skills and the Health Service Executive, with the aim of promoting mental health and well-being in primary schools.
It is recognised in these guidelines that positive mental health and well-being 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 well-being.
In order to promote positive mental health and well-being at Firies N.S., we have decided to take part in the Amber Flag Initiative. This involves the whole school community coming together in other to create a safe, positive and healthy attitude towards our general physical and mental health and well-being. We have some great ideas on how to do this:
- Create an Amber Flag notice board - Wellness Wall - in the hall with a positive ‘thought for the week’.
- Holistic activities undertaken through the SPHE and PE strands of the curriculum.
- Celebrating World Mental Health Day.
- Partaking in fun activities during Wellbeing Week that promote positive mental health in our school community.
- Team building activities.
- Poster Competition.
- Visits from inspiring leaders.
In order to undertake all these activities we formed an Amber Flag Committee. This committee is led by student representatives and teacher representatives.
