Health and wellbeing firmly embedded in St Aidan’s CS
By Tiana Binns
ST AIDAN’S Community school in Brookfield has been formally recognised as a health promoting school and awarded their Health Flag from the HSE this week.
Since 2015, St. Aidan’s has been working hard to promote the health and wellbeing of their students, teachers and parents.
St Aidan’s CS students and staff proudly show off their Health Flag
Thanks to a team of committed teachers, called the Health Flag Team, this new health initiative was coordinated.
The teachers include; Una Moloney, Amy McGuinness, Kevin Connaughton and School Completion officer, Leanne Russell.
After a school wide survey around diet and exercise was conducted, the team was able to set targets for health at St Aidan’s.
This jumpstarted ‘Operation Transform Aidans’.
Nutritional workshops were held, the school canteen menu was improved to include healthier options and exercise programs were implemented into the school curriculum.
The Health Flag team of teachers collaborated with South Dublin County Council to develop a running track at the school.
From these initiatives, St Aidan’s was awarded the Healthy Heart Award from the Irish Heart Foundation, but their goals did not stop there.
St Aidan’s further utilised their new track and started the St. Aidan’s Walking Programme. They also partnered with Athletics Ireland and VHI GloHealth Mile to imbed walking or running a mile into the school’s curriculum.
St Aidan’s continues to flourish and promote health at their school by implementing other programs such as pedometer challenges, a hiking club, Boxercise, circuit training, the Weigh and Save Scheme and even a 5km in the Phoenix Park.
It is clear why St Aidan’s has been awarded their Health Flag, with their application being described as, “Excellent”.
They had two strong action plans and it was an honest reflection of fantastic work done. It is evident that health and wellbeing is firmly embedded in their school.
This is not the first flag the school has received either.
They have also enacted many other projects that have earned them, the Yellow Flag for Inclusion, Green Flag for Recycling, the Young Social Innovators Flag and the Well-Read Flag for Literacy.
St Aidan’s is proud to fly their well-earned Health Flag right alongside the rest of their successful initiatives.
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