Pieta House awards Kilflynn NS for making its school one happy place

THE pupils of St Teresa’s NS in Kilflynn were delighted to be awarded an Amber Flag from Pieta House for their efforts in promoting positive mental health and well-being in their school.

Principal Nóra Falvey and the Amber Flag Committee at the school were last week informed of their brilliant achievement.

The flag is awarded to schools who engage in activities to promote an ethos of positive mental health.

“Our school became involved in the Amber Flag Initiative over two years ago when we realised the greater need to highlight well-being and positive mental health among our pupils,” explained Ms Falvey.

The Amber Flag Committee, led by teachers Siobhán Kearney and Deirdre Laide, embarked on an enjoyable mission to improve the overall happiness and health of the children at the school. The Committee comprising of teachers and pupils collaborated to create many enjoyable activities over the academic years.

“Our aim has been, and will continue to be, the promotion of a positive atmosphere at our school,” said Siobhán Kearney, while Deirdre Laide said the response was overwhelming and that children loved the events organised by the committee.

One initiative was the introduction of ‘Feel Good Friday’; on the last Friday of every month, the children were involved in an activity together that promoted positivity. The school held a fancy dress, a whole-school walk and a co-operative games day to mention a few items.

The Parent’s Council of St Teresa’s also played an intricate role in enabling the pupils to access many special programmes through fundraising. Zumba with Padraig, a fun and energetic class beneficial for both body and mind, was a huge hit. Mindfulness sessions with Heidi Giles, which enabled the children to learn important self-awareness and self-regulating skills, was a welcomed break from the routine of the school day.

Also, the school enjoyed a visit from ‘Little Hero’s First Aid’, where the children participated in a specially designed first-aid workshop for school-going pupils, giving them knowledge of basic life-saving skills.

A hugely important event in the school was a collaboration called ‘Happy Hearts, Happy Heads’ with local play therapist Edel Lawlor of Expressive Play Therapy and Training, Kilflynn. Using creative arts such as clay, paint, puppets and play, Edel explored feelings, emotions and issues that affect children whilst promoting positivity.

“Relationships are key to the mental health of pupils, and these initiatives really highlighted and explored their importance,” added Ms Laide.

One of the many colourful posters promoting mental health created by the pupils of Kilflynn NS