Here at Rush National School we strive to provide a well-ordered, caring, happy and secure atmosphere where the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of the pupils are identified and addressed. Central to our ethos and to the holistic development of each child, is the promotion of Wellbeing.
We turn to the World Health Organisation for a definition of Wellbeing describing its multi-dimensional nature:
“Wellbeing is present when a person realises their potential, is resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their life, takes care of their physical wellbeing and has a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to a wider community. It is a fluid way of being and needs nurturing throughout life.”
Rush National School takes guidance from the Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice (2019) to inform a whole school approach to the promotion of Wellbeing.
We know that the mental health and well-being of our children is critical to success in school and life. Education about mental health and well-being is an integral part of the school curriculum. Schools play a vital role in the promotion of positive mental health in children. Schools can also provide a safe and supportive environment for building life skills and resilience and a strong sense of connectedness to school. Listening to the voice of the child and fostering healthy relationships with peers, teachers and school staff are essential to children’s positive experience of school and their cognitive and emotional development. The needs and well-being of school staff are also of paramount importance.
In Rush National School we aim to provide a full continuum of mental health promotion programmes and services. These include enhancing environments, promoting social and emotional learning and life skills, preventing emotional and behavioural problems, identifying and intervening in these problems early, and providing intervention for established problems (Wellbeing in Primary Schools, 2015).
Please find some examples of how we promote Wellbeing specifically in our own context below:
- The formal instruction of the Physical Education Curriculum is taught across every class level in Rush National School
- The formal instruction of the Social, Political and Health Education Curriculum is taught across every class level in Rush National School
- A segment of each Teacht Le Chéile aims to promote wellbeing amongst the pupils of Rush National School
- Rush National School staff are trained in the facilitation of The Incredible Years Program
- Rush National School hosts an annual ‘Wellbeing Week’ for the school community
- Rush National School has invested in a range of resources to promote mindfulness
- Rush National School staff are trained in the facilitation of the Fun Friends Program
- Rush National School staff are trained in the facilitation of the Friends for Life Program
- The Rainbows Program is facilitated in Rush National School
- Rush National School facilitates a link program to assist 6th class pupils with the transition to secondary school
- A range of extracurricular activities for pupils are voluntarily organised by staff in Rush National School
- Our Student Council promotes pupil voice across Rush National School
Here you will find a message to the school community from the staff of Rush National School to celebrate our “Virtual Wellbeing Week”: https://spark.adobe.com/video/DLQmcFEVyZ3vm
Here is an exhibition of our winning entries from the Wellbeing Week Creative Competition: https://rushnationalschool.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Wellbeing-Week-Creative-Competition-WinnersA-.pdf
Please find additional information on wellbeing promotion below:
Healthy Ireland: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/healthy-ireland/
Healthy Ireland Food Plans and Guides: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b01555-healthy-ireland-food-plans-and-guides/
Get Ireland Active: https://www.getirelandactive.ie/
Supporting the Wellbeing of Our School Communities: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/0722b-wellbeing-resources/
Healthy Fingal Learning Portal: https://learning.fingal.ie/
