Wellbeing
At Enable Ireland Sandymount 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.”
Enable Ireland Sandymount School takes guidance from the Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice (2019) to inform a whole school approach to the promotion of Wellbeing.
See below the school's Wellbeing charter:
Responsibility of Enable Ireland Sandymount School
The Education Act (1998) states that: A recognised school shall promote the moral, spiritual, social and personal development of students and provide health education for them, in consultation with their parents, having regard to the characteristic spirit of the school.
Sandymount School is in a unique position to promote wellbeing, and social and emotional learning, and ensures a whole school approach to wellbeing promotion.
Students flourish where there is a whole school approach to supporting their growth and where there is a shared belief in their potential for development, learning and wellbeing. Sandymount School is responsible for providing an environment that nurtures and supports students.
Find below some useful links to online resources dealing with all areas of health and wellbeing. Many offer information and supports for children, young people and adults.
General Health and Wellbeing
- Healthy Ireland: Healthy eating, mental wellbeing and physical activity advice for all ages from children to adults https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/healthy-ireland/
- Health Promotion: A broad range of resources covering a wide number of topics for both adults and children https://www.healthpromotion.ie/
- HSE’s National Healthy Childhood Programme with links to further websites https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/healthwellbeing/our-priority-programmes/child-health-and- wellbeing/national-healthy-childhood-programmenew.html
- Library Resources: Find Healthy Ireland information, supports and services in your local library https://www.librariesireland.ie/services/healthy-ireland-at-your-library
- Health Conditions at School: A resource to help manage students with conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, diabetes and anaphylaxis http://www.diabetes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Managing-Chronic-Health-Conditons-at- School.pdf
Physical Activity:
- Get Ireland Active: Find out how regular physical exercise can improve your life https://www.getirelandactive.ie/
- Eat Smart Move More: Booklet and reward chart for parents https://www.healthpromotion.ie/hp-files/docs/HPM00835.pdf
- Get Ireland Walking: Walking is the easiest way to get moving, get active and get happy https://www.getirelandwalking.ie/
- Bike Week: A celebration and promotion of all that is good about bikes and cycling http://www.bikeweek.ie/
- Cycle Right: Provides practical cycle safety and skills training to promote confident cyclists http://www.cycleright.ie/
- The Irish Heart Foundation: https://irishheart.ie/
Healthy Eating
- Makeastart (START Campaign): Expert advice about how to reduce treats and introduce healthy snacks and meals for your children https://www.safefood.eu/START/Welcome.aspx
- The food pyramid explained: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/70a2e4-the-food-pyramid/
- Safe Food: Food safety, healthy eating, recipes and education about eating well https://www.safefood.eu/Home.aspx
- HSE Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme: https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/healthwellbeing/our-priority-programmes/heal/
- Bord Bia: Recipes for a healthy lifestyle https://www.bordbia.ie/lifestyle/recipes/
- The Irish Food Allergy Network: http://ifan.ie/
- Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Network: https://www.indi.ie/
- The National Dairy Council: https://ndc.ie/
- The Dental Health Foundation: Advice on healthy eating and caring for children’s teeth https://www.dentalhealth.ie/
Mental Health
- Weaving Wellbeing: The first Irish positive mental health programme, designed for children aged 8-12 years. http://weavingwellbeing.com/
- Mental Health Ireland: Promoting positive mental health and wellbeing among children and young people https://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/children/
- A Lust for Life: A resource to support, inspire and empower people to take care of their own minds https://www.alustforlife.com/
Cyber Safety:
- Esafety Website: Provides education and awareness for parents, teachers & students on issues surrounding the internet and available technologies http://esafety.ie/
- Webwise: Information, advice and resources addressing a range of internet safety issues and concern https://www.webwise.ie/
- Cyber Safe Ireland: Resources for children, parents and teachers to navigate the online world in a smarter, safer way https://cybersafeireland.org/
Parenting
- One Family: Ireland’s national organisation to support one parent families https://onefamily.ie/
- Parents Plus: An Irish charity that develops practical, evidence-based parenting and mental- health programme https://www.parentsplus.ie/
- National Parents Council: Information leaflets to support your child’s wellbeing, learning and transitions in school http://www.npc.ie/helpline-information/information-leaflets
- Mother Tongues: An organisation that works with families, schools and community groups, aimed at promoting multilingualism in Ireland https://mothertongues.ie/
- Rainbows Ireland: Free service to support children affected by bereavement, parental separation or divorce https://www.rainbowsireland.ie/
- Dublin City Childcare Committee: Offers advice, information or support in relation to early childhood care and education within Dublin City http://www.childcareonline.ie/