Bray School Project: Thrive Together: A Parent-Led Wellbeing and Inclusion Initiative

The Parents’ Association established a well-being committee, introducing a range of initiatives to strengthen community bonds, celebrate diversity, and promote physical and emotional wellbeing.

•“Lets keep walking” – Morning walks offering informal opportunities for parents to connect, share experiences, and provide support to each other.

•ADHD Friendly Schools Programme – Staff undertook training, and an information session for parents was held at the school.

•Yoga and craft evenings. These creative and relaxing sessions will provide a welcoming, mindful space for parents, staff, and students to unwind and explore new skills together.

Dunkerrin National School Parents' Association, Dunkerrin, Co Offaly with their project “Strengthening the school community by providing social opportunities that are free to attend, enjoyable and promote family involvement”

Dunkerrin National School Parents’ Association has been active and enthusiastic, but social interactions were limited during Covid. Recognising the importance of social engagement for mental and physical health, a new committee was formed for 2023/2024. They aimed to create enjoyable, free opportunities for social connection that strengthen community partnerships, especially in light of the cost-of-living crisis. Some of these events were a 24-hour Spin-a-thon, Halloween Disco, Art Exhibitions, and a family quiz night.

There were Joint Winners in 2023

River Valley CNS:

Working with the school and families to support physical, spiritual, creative, physiological, social and cognitive needs.

Providing a wide range of activities and resources to help our students and their families and being true ‘Partners in Learning’.

Some activities included;

• Halloween Party
• Art and Photo competition
• Tennis coaching programme
• Green flag programme
• Creating a phrasebook of all 12 languages spoken by families in the school
• Bio-diversity school workshops to learn about local parks and wildlife

The aim in River Valley CNS Parents' Association is to truly be ‘Partners in Learning’ and to provide opportunities to build a strong community in which all can thrive.

Scoil Choilm CNS:

Scoil Choilm Parents' Association has a vision of a community working together to empower and support our younger generations, prioritising parental involvement in the school.

• Parents' Association designed as a teamwork dynamic, rather than a hierarchal structure.
• Noticeboard in reception with information changed monthly on local activities, upcoming holidays and customs/traditions, and family friendly places to visit
• Newsletter sent out each term of news and activities in the school
• Cultural coffee mornings, Family Karate Classes and a free little library in the school reception.
• A PA member also attends student council meetings to hear ideas from the students. 

The Winners of the Award 2022 were the Parents’ Associations of both Beaumont Boys and Girls National Schools, Cork City with their winning project ‘Establishing a Travel Safe Committee, with the purpose of providing Safer, Healthier, and Greener routes to the school’. This project impressed the judges in that it was different to similar ones in that it very much involved parents and children, together with local councillors. Projects undertaken by the Parents’ Association included:

• Implementing a car free zone outside the school entrance, with Parent Volunteers at the entrance to the school, new double yellow lines, refreshed road markings, and signage designed with the support of the school
• A travel map showing different routes with access points other than the main gate was distributed
• Walking buses, and cycling buses were introduced along with funding being granted to increase bicycle shelter space
• Collaboration with Children, Parents, School Staff, City Council Traffic Wardens, Cork Cycling Campaign, and Local Councillors
• Ongoing campaign to present report to Cork City Council and An Taisce to include both schools in the ‘Safe Routes to School’ programme.

The Parents' Association of Gaelscoil Dhroichead na Banndan with their project 'Implementing a program of activities to support the whole school community'.

• The Parents' Association moved their meetings online and used this to communicate with the Principal on school policies and activities.
• They utilised new ways of working to help deliver activities to students.
• The events were devised by the collaboration of many parents with input by the Principal. These were designed and implemented in an environment that was new to all.

Activities for Children

• New fundraising methods ensured the 6th class got their school leaver hoodies as in previous years.
• Small gifts for communion and confirmation classes were given instead of a reception in the school hall like previous years.
• Virtual quizzes for the children were held which allowed them to see and interact with their friends.

Activities for Parents

• Seesaw training, one parent from each class received training to assist others in the online platform.
• The Parents' Association organised a Uniform Exchange at the end of the school year. This allowed parents to donate or avail of unwanted second hand uniforms. Given the challenging economic times it was very popular and will be held again next year.
• The Parents' Association sourced a donation of second hand laptops from a local multinational. These were lent out to families where access to devices was an issue. These laptops will be used in the school’s IT Lab in the future.