SSE Wellbeing Report 2021
St Aiden’s NS School Self-Evaluation (SSE) Summary Wellbeing Report 2021-2024
School Self-Evaluation is part of the on-going work of St. Aiden’s NS. The focus of self-evaluation for 2021-24 is wellbeing, particularly with regard to the Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion (Wellbeing in Primary Schools) and following two periods of extended school closures and remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The specific focus in Wellbeing was identified by analysis of data collected through survey by the school community (pupils, teachers, parents) in December 2020. The key areas covered were ‘Culture and Environment’; ‘Curriculum (teaching and learning)’; ‘Policy and Planning’ and ‘Relationships and Partnerships’. All pupils from 2nd to 6th classes were surveyed. All parents and teachers were invited to participate in the survey.
Many wellbeing strategies have been introduced over the years in St Aiden’s NS to integrate wellbeing widely across all aspects of school life. We agreed to retain successful aspects of the previous wellbeing initiatives, to maintain gains in pro-social skills and resilience.
The outcomes led to a specific focus on the key area of Culture and Environment. Wellbeing has always been a strong focus in St Aiden’s NS and there are many wellbeing initiatives running throughout the school: a wide-ranging and comprehensive SPHE programme, consistently taught throughout the school; Restorative Practices approach to negative behaviour; daily mindfulness and meditation, Wellbeing walls; Kindness awards; Buddy Bench; involvement with charities; strong representation of pupil voice on all committees; pupil-led research; community links; participation in the Amber flag programme; a variety of children’s library books dealing with tough times, pupil-designed information posters on a variety of wellbeing themes displayed…
1.1 Targets
By the end of year 3 (2024) improvements to Culture and Environment will be indicated by strong communication about wellbeing initiatives, supports and improvements between pupil, parents and teachers. Pupil voice will be strongly represented in wellbeing initiatives. The physical garden environment will be modified to benefit the wellbeing needs of the school community.
1. Actions
· Establish a ‘Wellbeing family’, consisting of representative pupils from 1st-6th classes.
· As far as is practicable, to continue to have a parent representative on our committees for the following programmes (working hours and COVID-19 restrictions considered):
-Active schools
-Amber flag
-Green schools
· To develop our garden area with the intention of all families being involved in the planting of a specific area and/or plant (COVID-19 restrictions currently apply to in-person gatherings)
· Widely use the school website, school Twitter account and other methods to communicate pupil successes and wellbeing projects with parents.
· All staff will share good practice and a collaborative approach to communication (including the expertise of shared teachers)
· Staff will attend CPD when it becomes available on wellbeing development and implement any resulting strategies/approaches.
Timeframe: April 2021- 2024
Final Review/report: End of school year 2024
Progress: June 2022 & 2023
Year 1 & 2 targets (2021 & 2022)
· Identify and implement actions
Year 3 target (2023-24)
· Re-evaluate all targets with feedback from pupils, parents and teachers
Chairperson BOM: Fr. Joseph Gavigan
Principal: Anne Moriarty
Date: 8/6/2021