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Health Promoting Schools

Firies National School has been part of the Health Promoting Schools Initiative since 2007. This programme promotes a healthy lifestyle through educating children about the importance of a balanced diet, regular exercise and positive mental wellbeing. 

There has always been a huge emphasis on Health Promotion in Firies N.S. 

Healthy eating is encouraged through various subjects and there are many healthy eating activities carried out in each classroom. The introduction of  ‘The Lunch Bag’ to our school providing healthy lunches ensures every child receives a hot meal that is nutritious and inclusive.

Physical activity is very important also. Children take part regularly in team sports with the senior classes engaging in football, soccer and basketball in school leagues. All classes receive coaching in football and hurling throughout the year. 3rd and 4th class also receive tuition in aquatics in the 3rd term with weekly swimming lessons in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre. 

The whole school looks forward to Active School Week in the 3rd term where children take part in a wide variety of fun physical activities.

Firies N.S. is also proud to promote positive mental health through the use of educational programmes such as Zippy’s Friends and Friends for Life and by holding an annual Friendship Week and Anti -Bullying Week.

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

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