The Amber Flag initiative recognises the efforts of schools to create healthy, inclusive environments that support mental wellbeing. To receive a Pieta Amber Flag, you have to set and achieve goals throughout the school year.
Our Amber Flag journey began in September 2023 when we put together our very first Amber Flag Committee, made up of staff members and pupils.
The committee’s first step was to complete an audit of the activities and services already in existence that promoted an ethos of positive mental health.
The committee then identified its goals for the year:
- To create an Amber Flag noticeboard.
- To introduce the 12 Days of Kindness challenge which promotes the idea of kindness towards others and the positive effect kindness can have on your mental health.
- To help organise an Active/Wellbeing Week.
- To organise a fundraising event for Pieta House, which, for us, was our Rainbow Dress Up Day.
- Some classes made a worry box.
The Amber Flag Committee worked very hard during its first year and managed to achieve all the goals it set out. We made over €700 from the Bake and Jumble Sale for Pieta House. We were delighted to be awarded our first Amber Flag in June 2024 in recognition of all our school’s efforts to make our school community a healthy, inclusive environment that promotes positive mental health. . It was a moment of great pride for our school and we hope to keep our Amber Flag flying. Our Amber Flag Committee will continue to work very hard, carrying on the super work of last year’s committee, successfully promoting positive mental health for everyone in BKNS. We are committed to prioritising the health and happiness of our pupils and staff and are looking forward to the year ahead.