Amber Flag

We are very excited to announce that here at Scoil Mhuire Fatima we are embarking on a new adventure. Following on from the success of the Gaelbratach, Green Schools and Active School Flag Initiatives, we are now taking on the challenge of obtaining an 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.

In 2019, the Department of Education and Skills and the Health Service Executive jointly launched Well-Being in Primary Schools- Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion. These guidelines aim to promote mental health and well-being in primary schools.

It is recognised in these guidelines 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 and involves the whole school community, parents/guardians and others involved in day to day school life. 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 at Scoil Mhuire Fatima, we have decided to take part in the Amber Flag Initiative. Successful completion of the Amber Flag initiative involves 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. 

We have some great ideas on how to do this!

Firstly, we have formed an Amber Flag Committee made up of students from each class.

Our aims and objectives are…

1. To have a designated ‘Student Shout Out’ slot each week

This is to recognise and acknowledge positive attitudes, interactions and behaviour displayed by students in the classroom and on the yard. There is a "Student Shout-Out" poster on the outside of each classroom door.
The idea is that the class teacher and the students themselves recognise positive interactions that occur throughout the week and these are recorded on this "Shout Out" poster for all who pass to see. On Fridays, representatives from the Amber Flag Committee record the names of the children on the doors and read these names out over the school intercom.

2. That each class will complete a project to create a Mental Health Awareness Display  in their own classroom.  Each class will explore the theme of Mental Health – what is it? And how can we take care of it? before deciding on their own specific area of focus for their display project. The completed displays will be photographed and displayed on our school website

3. We will hold a Mental Health Awareness Day.

4. We will hold a fundraiser event for Pieta House

Watch this space for more Amber Flag News!