A HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL ST MALACHYS PRIMARY SCHOOL

A HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL ST MALACHY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

The Beginning…………. n n The links between health and well-being of pupils and their capacity to benefit from educational opportunities and attain high standards of achievement have been well established for many years. In becoming part of the Health Promoting School’s Programme, St Malachy’s P. S became more committed to promoting the healthy lifestyles of everyone within the school community. The opportunity afforded St Malachy’s the chance to seek guidance and reinforce many of the daily practices we had already had in existence. St. Malachy’s P. S prides itself on being a ‘learner centred’ school, we endeavour to establish an holistic approach to health promotion within our school ensuring that our learning and teaching approaches are well suited to the different needs, aptitudes and learning styles of our pupils.

The Process……………. BUILD AWARNESS AND COMMITMENT HEALTHY SCHOOL TEAM CONSULTATION AUDIT STRENGTHS AND IDENTIFY AREAS FOR IMPROVMENT IMPLEMENT MONITOR EAVALUATE PRIORITISE AREAS ACTION PLAN-SDP

A WAY OF LIFE………………. . n n n A HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL INITIATIVE WAS CENTRAL TO ST MALACHY’S SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PLAN. TWO CRITERIA [FROM THE INITIAL EIGHT] PER YEAR WERE SELECTED, IMPLEMENTED, MONITORED AND EVALUATED. THIS WE FOUND TO BE A SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY AND ENABLED A ‘WHOLE’ SCHOOL, HOLISTIC APPROACH.

Promoting Pupil Health n n n Welcoming, inclusive school environment evident. Attractive outdoor physical environment Bright, interactive, stimulating, learning classrooms. Breakfast Club Healthy Break provided-P 1 -P 7 Water dispensers in each area Cool in school Merit System Award-Positive Behaviour Policy E. M. U Program School Calendar Positive Marking policy Cycling Proficiency n n n month developed for all children. Wide range of Extra Curricular Activities Lunchtime Activities Playground Equipment Provided Learning Diaries-self evaluation Circle Time School Assemblies-Celebrating Children's work and achievement, plays, concerts, choirs and Culture Days. School Competitions-sport-art-music and drama Kidscape Helping Hands Program Road Safety Health Education Month CAPPY Program-Character Trait each

Promoting Staff Health n n n Termly Staff Reviews 3 Yearly Audit Realistic Improvement Plan-Roles and responsibilities clearly articulated. Weekly Staff briefings Inset Provided on well being Investor In People Award Clean, comfortable staff facilities provided Staff notice board kept up to date and informative Regular opportunities / advice for personal development provided. Annual holidays displayed in advance on staff calendar Voice of staff, children and parents are listened to. Imaginative and realistic use made of directed time.

n n n n Promoting Parent’s Health At St. Malachy’s we appreciate the importance of working closely with parents/carers in order to ensure that the school’s health related activities respond to the needs of the pupils. We understand that parents and other family members make important contributions to the child’s learning at home and to learning situations at school. Parents are kept informed by regular bulletins. Parent’s notice board, school calendar, curriculum talks, parent's meetings etc. St. Malachy’s parents have the opportunity to……. . Become involved in the P. T. A Participate in school initiatives-walk to school week, aerobics, breakfast club, curriculum talks, class visits, school assemblies, Christmas plays. Culture day, school trips, after school clubs, Literacy and Numeracy events etc. Participate in courses, parental talks as organised by the school-computers, first aid, drugs awareness, early years-delta program etc.

n n n n n n n n ST. MALACHY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL 7 January 2008 Dear Parents As the new term approaches we would like to remind you of all the clubs/activities which are now available in St. Malachy’s for your children. Clubs will run from Monday 14 January to Friday 14 March inclusive: Breakfast Club 8. 00 – 8. 45 am 70 pence daily (All year groups) Extra Curricular Clubs will run for nine weeks Application forms available from tomorrow (Tuesday) and should be returned by Friday of this week. Ju-Jitsu – Thursdays 6. 30 – 7. 30 pm (Y 3 & 4)- 7. 30 – 8. 30 ( Y 5. 6 & 7) £ 2 per week – resumes this Thursday (10 January) Paid on night Table Tennis – Thursday 3. 00 – 4. 00 pm (Y 5, 6 & 7) £ 9. 00 Badminton – Wednesday 3. 00 – 4. 00 pm (Y 5 & 6) £ 9. 00 Art Club – Monday 3. 00 – 4. 00 pm (Y 5 & 6) £ 8. 00 (8 weeks – Mid-term break Monday 18 February) Art Club – Thursday 3. 00 – 4. 00 pm (Y 4) £ 9. 00 Needlecraft – Tuesday 3. 00 – 4. 00 pm (Y 6 & 7) £ 9. 00 Needlecraft – Monday 3. 00 – 4. 00 pm (Y 4) £ 8. 00 (8 weeks only) Indoor Athletics – Monday 3. 00 – 4. 00 pm (Y 6 & 7) £ 8. 00 (8 weeks – Mid-term break Monday 18 February) Hockey Club – Wednesday 3. 00 – 4. 00 pm (Y 6 & 7) £ 9. 00 Irish Dancing – Mondays 3. 00 – 4. 00 pm (Y 3 – Y 7) £ 8. 00 (8 weeks – Mid-term break Monday 18 February Netball – Tuesday 3. 00 – 4. 00 pm (Y 6 & 7) £ 9. 00 Football – Thursday 3. 00 – 4. 00 pm (Y 6 & 7) (£ 9. 00 Drama/Games - Tuesday 3. 00 – 4. 00 pm (P 4) £ 9. 00 Computers – Wednesday 3. 00 – 4. 00 pm (Y 4) £ 9. 00 Drama/Games – Thursday 3. 00 – 4. 00 pm (Y 3) £ 9. 00 Athletics – Friday 2. 00 – 3. 00 pm (Y 3)£ 8. 00 (Mrs Mc. Goran’s class 3 B) (Mid-term break Friday 15 February) Art – Friday 2. 00 – 3. 00 pm (Y 3) £ 8. 00 (Mrs Bradley’s class 3 A) (Mid-term break Friday 15 February) *Children are expected to adhere to school rules when taking part in school clubs. Any child misbehaving will be withdrawn from the activity. Parents are requested to collect their children from the school doors at 4 pm sharp on each day. R Quinn Co-ordinator

Working Together ROSPA NDAI PSNI ST. Malachy’s SENCO PDMU Bangor. Lleisure Centre Scrabo Childen’s Centre Charities Educational Specialists

INTERDEPENDANCE HEALTHY SCHOOL EXTENDED SCHOOL

THE BENEFITS………………… n n n n Children are more focused Children adopt a ‘healthy’ attitude to food, diet, exercise and lifestyle. Children feel positive and valued. Higher self-esteem Attendance improved Life skills are developed-physical, social and emotional. A reduction in playtime incidents Improvement in behaviour and discipline. Children foster a sense of ownership, respect, pride and responsibility. Concentration levels improved. Increased enrolment Raised profile of our school within the community A positive working environment created.

LINKED……………… n HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL n n n PROVISION OF HEALTHY BREAK n n EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES n PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT n n EXTENDED SCHOOL ENABLED REFURBISHING OF AN EXISTING TUCK SHOP INTO A FUNCTIONAL, WORKING KITCHEN. ENABLED THE ORGANISATION, ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITES BY THE CO-ORDINATOR. ORGANISED STAFF ROTAS, STAFF TRAINING ENABLED EMPLOYMENT OF AN ASSISSTANT TO PURCHASE, PREPARE AND ADMINISTER BREAK ON A DAILY BASIS TO THE WHOLE SCHOOL. ENABLED THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT, SPORTS KITS AND QUALIFIED COACHES. HELPED TO FUND PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, PLAYGROUND MARKINGS AND WET PLAY RESOURCES.

A SHARED VISION n n n At St. Malachy’s all members of the school community work together to provide pupils with integrated, positive experiences and structures which promote and protect their health. This we achieve through a shared aim and holistic approach delivered through a broad and balanced curriculum. At St Malachy’s we pride ourselves on our strong commitment to partnership and collective responsibility in order to enhance and extend our expertise and resources. We at St Malachy’s value the physical, social, spiritual, mental and emotional health and well being of pupils, parents and staff. Being involved in both initiatives has afforded us numerous opportunities and advantages of which our school and the wider community have greatly benefited. The ethos of our school puts the child at the centre of our daily work. This ethos is nourished and cherished by all who attend and work in our school. A Health Promoting School and an Extended School are part of our everyday practice.

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY……. . “We won second place in the Health Promoting Schools Award. Every morning at 10. 30 we get fruit vegetables, crackers, cheese, breadsticks and much more”. Matthew Connor P 7 “ I am very happy and proud to say that I go to this school. We have a Cappy programme where each month we focus on character traits and we try to work towards them. If you have been trying hard you may even win the award!” Shannen Davie P 7 “Everyone enjoys this school because we get to go outside and play at break and lunchtimes with the equipment” Niamh Mc Goldrick P 7

FINALLY…………… n n n WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE ACHIEVED INVESTOR IN PEOPLE AWARD CURRICULUM AWARD GOLDMARK FOR SPORT N. I NATIONAL TEACHING AWARD-HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL [RUNNER UP] HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL AWARD-CENTRA [WINNER AND RUNNERS UP]