Scoil Maelruain receive Amber Flag after turning courtyard into Wellbeing Garden

Scoil Maelruain receive Amber Flag after turning courtyard into Wellbeing Garden

By Aimee Walsh

A primary school have received an Amber Flag after turning an unused courtyard into a ‘Wellbeing Garden’ for students to enjoy.

Scoil Maelruain Senior primary school in Old Bawn, Tallaght, turned the courtyard into a ‘Wellness Garden’ to help students and support their mental health.

Scoil Maelruain Senior School 07 1

Brian Mac Cormaic (Garden Co-Ordinator) and former Ireland international and past pupil Keith Fahy at the opening of Wellbeing Garden on Monday

After a tough year due to school closures and restrictions, sixth class teacher at the school, Brian Mac Cormaic, said that the school decided to take on the project as they recognised the need for an outdoor space.

“We had a courtyard in the school that has never been used and overgrown for the last 40 years. We decided to make a project for the children this year because of the fact that there is very little they can do.”

Mr Mac Cormaic explained that the courtyard underwent a complete transformation and is now used by every class in the school for multiple different activities.

“It is a wellbeing area in the morning for the children, and then during the day it is used for drama, music art – everything you could hope for,” said Mr Mac Cormaic.

The project was part of the school’s attempt to achieve the amber flag, which is awarded to primary and secondary schools recognised for their efforts to create healthy inclusive environments and support mental well-being.

 “One of the factors of getting the flag is you have to have an area for the children to go and to take a break away, especially if you have children with a bereavement or may be anxious or other issues.

“Obviously in the year that we had, it turned out to be a massive success and we got awarded the amber flag the other day.”

Speaking about the importance of having such a space like this at a school, Mr Mac Cormaic said that for some children having that moment in the morning where they can get settled before class begins is necessary and is a major factor.

He said: “Using the outdoors and having that open air space, particularly in times like these and having lessons such as singing and drama that cannot happen inside is also great.

“We have to have a timetable now for the courtyard there is so much demand for it,” Mr Mac Cormaic joked.

The project was completed through the hard work of all the teachers and the children at Scoil Maelruain Senior, along with the generous discounts offered by local businesses such as Woodies.

“It turned into a massive success with what was turning into another year of Covid and lockdowns we managed to create a very happy ending,” concluded Mr Mac Cormaic.

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