Amber Flag 2021

Exciting News! Amber Flag

On the 6th of May 2021, St Laurence’s N.S was awarded an Amber Flag for our efforts to promote positive mental health and well-being in our school. 
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It is well documented that positive mental health and well-being enables young people to lead fulfilling lives. Home and family are recognised as the primary source of nurturing and support for children. However, mental health and well-being are recognised as everyone’s concern. It involves the whole school community, parents/guardians and the many others involved in day to day life of the child. Positive mental health for children is part of their overall health and is inextricably linked with well-being.

In order to promote positive mental health and well-being we decided to take part in the Amber Flag Initiative. This involved the whole school community coming together in order to create a safe, positive, and healthy attitude towards our general physical and mental health and well-being.

Our Aim: To Promote Positive Mental Health at School

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What is the Amber Flag?

​The Amber Flag initiative is an initiative run by Pieta House which 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 wellbeing.

What are our goals & Objectives?

Amber Flag Goal 1: Mental Health Awareness Day
This year we had a home school Mental Health Awareness Day were we encouraged the children to take part in many mindfulness activities. The majority of the activities were screen-free.  
Date Achieved:  Wednesday 17th of February 2021

Amber Flag Goal 2: Fundraising Activity
We had an extremely successful, fun and festive Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 11th of December. The children and staff all wore Christmas jumpers and enjoyed watching some Christmas movies with treats.  We raised grand total of €1409.
Date Achieved: Friday 11th of December 2020 

Amber Flag Goal 3: Wellbeing Week – Promoting Positive Mental Health and Awareness
Upon returning to school buildings it was decided to hold a Wellbeing Week for the benefit of the children’s and staff’s wellbeing.  The aim of the week was to promote positive mental health and awareness. Each day of the week had a different theme; Healthy Body, Healthy Mind Monday, Thankful Tuesday, Random Acts of Kindness on Wednesday, Thoughtful Thursday and Friends on Friday. Whole school activities took place on each day including sending thoughtful messages on postcards to reading buddies, guided mediation, journaling, extra PE lessons and planting Friendship flowers. A mindful moment was relayed over the intercom daily allowing the children to pause and reflect on each theme. The children really enjoyed all the activities throughout the week.
Date Achieved: Monday 19th of April 2021 to Friday 23rd of April 2021

​Our school has an Amber Flag Committee made up of teachers and students. The Amber Flag Team was busy during the past few months planning and organising lots of activities to promote positive mental health in our school and help improve our overall wellbeing. 

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