Nurney NS flies the flag for positive mental health

OUR Lady’s National School, Nurney has been awarded the Pieta House amber flag, a national recognition of its commitment to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in the school. To mark the wonderful achievement, the school held a fun-filled pyjamas day, including a special flag-raising ceremony.

They were honoured to be joined by minister of state at the Department of Health, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, who helped raise the flag alongside the school’s wellbeing committee.

The Amber Flag Initiative, run by Pieta House, encourages schools to actively promote mental health awareness and wellbeing through a series of initiatives and events. The programme requires schools to set and achieve specific goals to create a safe, healthy and inclusive environment for all.

Over the past school year, pupils and staff at Our Lady’s NS have worked together to develop a culture of kindness, connection and support. Some of the events included activities such as ‘Mindful Monday’, ‘Walk on Wednesdays’ and ‘Feel Good Friday’, while the school also held a wellbeing week, which included a gardening and painting day, drumming workshop, yoga workshop, jumble sale for Pieta House and a pizza party.

“Our journey has helped us strengthen the bonds within our school while also giving children a voice in how we support mental health and wellbeing. We are incredibly proud of the effort shown by our students, especially those on the wellbeing committee, and are grateful to all the staff and families who have supported this initiative,” said school principal Bríd Lalor.