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Donegal school
joins elite group
of flag bearers
Coláiste Cholmcille. Ballyshannon, Co
Donegal recently joined an elite group of
schools presented with the Healthy Ireland
Health Promoting School Flag.
The Healthy Ireland Health Promoting
School (HPS) Flag is presented by the HSE
to schools as an acknowledgement of their
work in improving the health of their school
communities. The HPS supports schools to
focus on health and wellbeing and involves
all members of the school community.
Students, staff, parents and guardians are
consulted to identify priority health areas.
Over a period of two academic years, schools
develop an action plan to address the health
areas identified.
Schools are guided to address their priority
area under the following evidence-based
categories: environment (social and physical),
curriculum, policies and partnerships.
Schools work at their own pace supported by
the HSE Health Promotion and Improvement
Department.
In each school, a HPS coordinator and HPS
Team lead out on the progression of health
and wellbeing and this work is supported
by the principal, Board of Management and
wider school community.
In Coláiste Cholmcille, the key area of work
by the Health Promoting School Committee
was the safe and proper use of mobile
phones.
To address the need for students to tell
the time as wearing a watch is no longer the
norm, the Health promoting School Committee
ensured all classroom clocks were
working.
Staff and students participated in training
workshops on Internet safety.
The school also addressed many other
health issues including participating in the
annual anti-bullying week and mental health
promotion activities for students, staff and
parents.
Coláiste Cholmcille was presented with
the HPS Flag and a certificate in recognition
of work carried out by the HPS Team and the
whole school community.
Speaking at the event, Anne
McAteer, HSE Health Promotion
Officer, praised the
Committee for the approach
taken that got the support
of the student population to
ensure mobile phones were
not disrupting lessons and
that students use technology in
a very positive way.
The school has now taken on a new
theme – physical activity and will work to ensure
students, staff and parents will benefit
from increased physical activity.
Mr Keogh, the principal of Coláiste Cholmcille
stated, “Today is a great day for Coláiste
Cholmcille as we are one of only two schools
in the county to be awarded The Healthy Ireland
– Health Promoting School (HPS) Flag.
“This is something that the entire school
community is very proud of. This is the result
of two years hard work carried out by a very
dedicated HPS committee.”
Students from Colaiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon
at the flag raising cermony on Thursday when their
school was presented with a Healthy Ireland - Health
Promoting School Flag.
In 2012, Gaelscoil Osraí in Co Kilkenny
became involved in the HSE Health
Promoting School (HPS) initiative. This is a
WHO evidence-based initiative that supports
schools to plan for health in a co-ordinated
manner using a whole school approach.
As part of the HPS process, a committee
was set up comprising of teachers, SNAs,
pupils and parents. A consultation process,
via questionnaires, was undertaken with the
whole school community and a number of
health topics were identified as important to
address; healthy eating, improving the school
environment and mental health promotion.
Having worked on the school environment
as our initial priority in 2013, the HPS
committee decided to address mental health
promotion in 2014, and Máirt Machnamhach
was one of the outcomes of our action plan.
Máirt Machnamhach takes place on the first
Tuesday of each month. Instead of homework,
pupils engage in an activity that places
particular emphasis on family interaction.
Suggested activities including baking, going
for a walk, board games or simply sitting
down to enjoy a meal as a family. The children
may take photographs of their activities to
display on our HPS notice board or school
website.
Máirt Machnamhach is wonderfully
simple and has been a positive
experience in Gaelscoil Osraí for
students, parents and teachers
alike. Everybody gets to take
a break from the chore that
is homework, (or having to
correct it!) using the time to
connect and communicate
with others. Máirt Machnamhach
is anticipated each month and
the feedback from parents has been
wonderfully affirming…. “The value of
this initiative is priceless. In a world where
everybody is rushing, the life-skill of being
able to stop and spend time on the simple
important things cannot be overstated.”
Through the progression of our school as a
Health Promoting School and the adoption
of Máirt Machnamhach into the life of our
school, we have all gained an insight into the
importance of taking time out to look after
our sláinte meabhrach.
The work of our HPS committee
further develops the concept of Máirt
Machnamhach by providing a mental
health awareness evening for parents and
through the development of mindfulness
in our school, with the aim of continuing to
promote wellbeing across the whole school
community. Tanya Hudson, Gaelscoil Osraí,
Loch Buí, Cill Chainnigh.
54 | health matters | spring 2016