Cloonakilla NS students raise two flags in presence of Roscommon Olympian

There was an air of excitement at Cloonakilla National School last week after months of dedication were rewarded with the raising of not one, but two, flags for the school, one of which was raised by a Tokyo 2020 Olympian.

Students at the school have been hard at work undergoing various activities and initiatives to receive both a Pieta Amber Flag and an Active School Flag, which now fly proudly beside the school's Green Flag.

The Pieta Amber Flag initiative recognises the individual efforts of primary and secondary schools, youthreach, third level institutions, community groups and clubs to create healthy, inclusive environments that support mental wellbeing, while the Active Flag recognises schools' commitments to promoting physical activity to all.

Present to raise the flags last Friday, October 15, were Olympian Aoife O'Rourke from Castlerea who represented Ireland in boxing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and Gerard Tiernan from Pieta House in Athlone.

Speaking before the raising of the Amber Flag, Gerard commended the students for their work and urged them to take the tools they have learnt through the initiative with them into the future.

"It's a very special day for me to come here on behalf of Pieta House to raise the Amber Flag, because it's so important that we talk about positive mental health and wellbeing," he said.

"You are all so lucky to have teachers and each other in this school who talk about positive mental health. It might not be now that you understand the importance of this, but in a few years' time you will look back and remember that this was promoted.

"The most important thing that I can say to you is to mind each other. We're all friends, and if you ever feel that little bit down there are so many people here and at home that you can talk to."

Principal Mrs Mary O'Rourke also commended the students and staff at the school for the work they carried out, mentioning fundraisers for a 'buddy bench' to ensure that no student sits alone at break time, as well as mindfulness and yoga classes.

"Our school was the first in Roscommon to raise the Amber Flag in 2018, and I think now more than ever with Covid-19 and lockdowns we realise the importance of fostering good mental health and wellbeing, which of course goes along with physical activity," she said.

Following the short speeches, students who were kitted out in Irish flags and face paint began chanting the Olympian's name as anticipation grew for the raising of the flags.

Gerard and Aoife raised their respective flags, after which the sportswoman led looped runs around the school with each class, starting with junior infants and finishing with sixth class.

Fifth class teacher Patricia Cunniffe said that students were "beyond excited" for Aoife's visit.

"Aoife is a personal friend of mine, and all the students are beyond excited to meet her today - as they should be," she said. "She's a super role model for the children and is a very unassuming and dedicated athlete."

Ms Cunniffe continued to explain how students engaged with the Active Flag programme during lockdown.

"It was a challenge, but it was certainly something that was probably more doable than others.

“We had an 'Every Step Counts' campaign where each student would submit their step counts to their teacher and I monitored it and counted them up."

She then put the total steps onto a map so that students could visually see the distance they covered.

"We ended up travelling all around Europe between us all, and seeing that visually each week encouraged us all to take part every day."

Getting students involved in a physical activity that they personally enjoy was also a new direction for the school, which introduced tennis lessons for the first time.

"As a child I probably wasn't that interested in PE, but now I see the importance of it so that's what we're trying to instill here, whether that be a team sport or something else," Ms Cunniffe said.

"It's about finding an activity that works for you."

Fifth class teacher Eimear Cronolly, who led the Amber Flag campaign, explained that students raised money for various charities and created a sensory room in the school.

"During lockdown, we also met on Fridays on Zoom and had either yoga or mediation sessions which was really nice," she said. "Part of the campaign is promoting wellbeing amongst staff as well as students."

A major aspect of the Amber Flag initiative is providing students with the tools to take on difficult periods in life, something which Mrs Cronolly hopes they have taken on board.

"At the moment they're in a lovely, warm and welcoming environment which focuses on friendship and kindness, but they will have difficulties so we're trying to get them to focus on ways that they can alleviate those challenges.

"We're not denying the negative thoughts and feelings, but we're giving them the tools to work through them," she finished.

Cloonakilla National School's Active Flag will now be valid for the next three years, before the school will have to re-engage with the process.

The school must submit a new application each year and create a new committee with two new goals to retain the Amber Flag.