We were recently informed that the Health Promotion School (HPS) Flag would be presented to our school for our long term commitment and efforts to address the health and well-being of our whole school community.
Our school has registered annually over the last four years and have submitted HPS Journals, all highlighting our HPS journey and process.
Thus, having been formally recognised once before, the HSE felt that we are now entitled to have the new National Healthy Ireland-HSE Health Promoting School Flag flying proudly above our school ! This is a wonderful achievement for our school community. This ceremony took place on September 30th 2016, and it was, indeed, a wonderful day of celebration!!
The Health Promotion Team was led by 2nd Class teacher, Margaret Ryan, who worked tirelessly to ensure that the school fulfilled all the criteria to become a Health Promoting School. Great credit must go to Margaret for her continued enthusiasm over the past number of years. The HPS Committee was previously led with enthusiasm, by Senior Infant teacher, Naomi O’Donovan, when we first became a Health Promoting school, some years ago.
Three of our former staff members, Helen Fox and AnneMarie Barry and Sineád Ní Loingsigh played a big part in helping to achieve that status and current members in clude staff Patricia Kelly, Mary Sheahan, Regina Landy, Naig Boland and Kathleen Tuohy. The Parents’ Association have also played a big part in helping to achieve the HPS Flag and their help was acknowledged by Mr. Nolan today. Special thanks was given to parent, Marianne Cotter for all her help with the garden, over the past few months.
Our three special guests on the day were Paralympic hero, Niamh McCarthy, Ms. Eileen Hara from the HPS, and local T.D. and Finance Spokesperson, Mr. Michael McGrath T.D. Junior and Senior Infants and the Language Class formed a guard of honour at the front door of the school and all three guests were then led into the Halla, where they were formally welcomed by Principal, David Nolan.
Pupils from 3rd -6th Classes then outlined the work that had been done, by means of Powerpoint presentations. They explained how healthy eating can improve our lifestyle. They spoke about the fact that we took part in Operation Transformation on TV and also told the audience about the Gardening Initiative which took place over the past year at school.
Eileen Hara was the first guest to speak and it was clear that she was very impressed by all the work that had taken place, in order to become a Health Promotng School. Michael McGrath, who was delighted to greet his niece, a pupil in our school, was next to speak and he also praised the pupils and staff for the great work which was evident all around the school. Pride of place went to our third guest, Ms. Niamh McCarthy, from Carrigaline, who was a Silver medalist at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and European record holder in F41 Women’s Discus.
Niamh, who was interviewed by Mr. Nolan, shared some moments of the past few weeks with us and she had some excellent advice for the pupils. She also spoke about the fact that her father, Florence McCarthy, was a past-pupil of Shanbally school. It was wonderful to have such an inspirational sports-person visit our school and we are greatly indebted to her for accepting our invitation. We also thank Lorraine Goggin who was the official press photographen who ensured that the occasion ran smoothly, invited everybody to then go out to the front of the school and the flag was raised by Niamh McCarthy, accompanied by the oldest pupil in the school, Colin and the youngest pupil, Gearoid. Ms. O’Connell then led all the pupils as they sang the school song, “Nach Deas a Bheith Óg!”
Our new flag is now flying high, in the school grounds and this continue to remind us to make wise choices about food and nutrition in the future.
