Wellbeing Warriors earn Amber Flag in support of mental health

YOUNG Wellbeing Warriors in a primary school banded together to create a healthy, inclusive school environment that supports mental health and earned an Amber Flag as a result.

Over the past 12 months, pupils and teachers have been diligently working to promote general wellbeing in Cnoc Mhuire Senior National School.

It started in September 2022, when teachers established a wellbeing committee in the school, with pupils nominating their peers to be a Wellbeing Warrior on the committee.

Harrison, Lorcan, Ella Rose, Kailyn, Jake, Layla, Maci and James were elected as Wellbeing Warriors and did not waste any time, running their first event last October with an Inside Out Day.

Everyone in the school wore their clothes inside out, representing that how someone looks on the outside may not reflect how they are feeling on the inside.

Then, in February, the school held a bake sale and it was triumphant, with all of the €879 raised going to the charity, Pieta House.

On the last Thursday of every month, pupils were given wellbeing homework to complete, which comprised of mindfulness colouring, kindness jars or a nature walk.

This is a practice that the Killinarden school will continue this year, with an Amber Flag display board also attracting messages of kindness in one of the corridors.

After a full school term focused on creating a safe space which promotes wellbeing, Pieta House awarded the school with the coveted Amber Flag.

Last Friday, September 29, pupils and their families were invited to the school for an Amber Flag day celebrations, with everyone encouraged to wear the colour.

There was an assembly held in the hall where the young pupils gave a presentation about their initiatives before everyone went outside to see some of the Wellbeing Warrior team raise the flag.

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