Amber Flag
“The Pieta Amber Flag Initiative recognises the individual efforts of primary and secondary schools, youth reach, third level institutions, community groups, clubs and companies to create healthy, inclusive environments that support mental well-being.”
Introduction to our Amber Flag Initiative
We are very excited to inform you all that here at Cloontagh National School, we are embarking on a new adventure which places emphasises on fostering positive mental health in our school. This school year we have been engaging with the new challenge of obtaining our Amber Flag.
Committee-
Evie McCausland
Charlie Hussey
John James O’Reilly
Weaving Wellbeing Journal
During challenging times, it’s more important than ever to look after your child’s well-being. To help parents to help their children, Outside the Box has produced a FREE activity journal (At Home with Weaving Well-being) to help children to enhance their mental well-being through a range of activities. It’s probably most suitable for children aged 8 to 12 tears old but can certainly be adapted for younger or older children.
Most of the topics in the FREE journal, such as positivity, gratitude, kindness, bravery, creativity and self-kindness, are drawn from the field of Positive Psychology, which is the science of well-being. There are also activities based on dealing with worries and coping with change.
The journal aims to give children a chance to reflect and express themselves, gradually building into a highly personal portfolio reflecting unique aspects of their mental well-being. Once complete, they may enjoy looking over it again from time to time, especially whenever they need a well-being boost!
Click to access At-Home-with-Weaving-Well-being-A-Mental-Health-Journal-for-Kids.pdf
Active Breaks Challenge
Physical activity is a vital component needed to enhance our wellbeing. Even a short burst of 10 minutes’ brisk walking increases our mental alertness, energy and positive mood. As participation in regular physical activity can increase our self-esteem and can reduce stress and anxiety, we decided to embark on a run a day challenge in our school.
Mental Health Awareness Day
On June 17th we will hold a ‘Mental Health Awareness’ to raise awareness of mental health issues in our school community and to discuss efforts that could/will be implemented to support positive mental health amongst our students and staff. The day provided students with the opportunity to talk about their own mental health and to brainstorm what more could be put in place to aid them in fostering and maintaining positive mental health.
We will have a range of activities from the day which included:
- Pyjama Day
- Meditation
- Silent Reading on our cushions/ Bean bags
- Video from Dr. Colman Noctor explaining what Mental Health is
- ‘Selfie Steem’ Activity
- ‘Worry Lorry’ Activity
- Michelangelo Art
- Mindfulness template drawing
- ‘Inside Out’ and ‘Wonder’ Film Discussion
- Mental Health Awareness stories
For our Amber Flag we have started the following;
Mindful Mondays
Teaching children to care for their minds is just as important as teaching them how to care for their bodies. It is essential that children are introduced to meditation early on in their lives so that they can develop strategies to calm their minds and to use healthy coping mechanisms as they grow and develop. Here at Cloontagh N.S. we have been engaging with a mindfulness activity each Monday to help start our week off on a positive note. Meditation has been proven to help children with their:
- sleep
- attention
- focus
- retention of information
- creativity
- mood
- managing stress
Our Fundraiser: 5km Walk on Corlea Bog Pieta Fundraiser
Calm Jars and Worry Dolls
As part of Wellbeing Week we made calm jars and worry dolls.
Mental Health Awareness Notice Boards
Our 6th class pupil update our notice boards regurarly. They pick mindful colouring to display and also it keeps everyone informed of our events.
Feel Good Fridays- On Fridays we have music on the yard giving us “that Friday Feeling”
Hot Chocolate Book Club- We have hot chocolate while sitting on a cushion reading a book for mindfulness on the last Friday of each month
Wellbeing Wednesdays- We Bake/play games/ activities as a whole school & Gymnastics with coach
Drop Everything and Relax
Crochet
Visits to our Sensory Garden
For Wellbeing Week- May 11th-15th:
Mindful Monday; – meditation, colouring, sensory garden walk, calm jars, daily km walk
Thankful Tuesdays – gratitude jar, random act of kindness, games, daily km walk
Wellbeing Wednesday- Baking, gymnastics, yoga, daily km walk
Terrific Thursdays- art project as a whole school/ Happiness art, daily km walk, worry dolls- crochet
Fun Friday- swimming, music on yard, hot chocolate, daily km walk