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Health Promoting Schools

About HPS

Firies National School has been participating in the Health Promoting Schools Initiative since 2007. This on-going programme promotes a healthy lifestyle through educating children about the importance of a balanced diet, regular exercise and positive mental wellbeing. We received our latest flag in June 2019. The children took part in programmes such as Food Dudes, Grow at School and Zippy’s Friends, and participated in a variety of fun physical activities throughout the year.

Click on the 3 images below for more information on healthy living:

Amber Flag Initiative

The Amber Flag initiative is an initiative run by Pieta House which 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 wellbeing. 

Minsters Jan O’Sullivan and Kathleen Lynch previously launched Well-Being in Primary Schools- Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion. This joint collaboration between the Department of Education and Skills and the Health Service Executive, aims to promote positive 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 and is vitally important to their holistic development. 

In order to promote positive mental health and wellbeing in Firies N.S., we have decided to take part in the Amber Flag Initiative. Successful completion of the Amber Flag initiative 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 well-being. 

Our aims and objectives are…

  • To create Amber Flag notice boards in the school, promoting positive mental health strategies. 
  • To hold a fundraising event for Pieta House and a Wellbeing Week to promote positive mental health in our school
  • To hold a ‘Design a Poster’ competition within the school to raise awareness of positive mental health strategies. 
  • To create 'Wellbeing Journals' in each class that encourages us to take care of our mental health. 

Amber Flag

Amber 2

Amber 3