Health Promoting School

“A Health Promoting School builds a working and living environment that creates and strengthens health” WHO

Muire Gan Smál Presentation Primary School was formally recognised as a Health Promoting School on 31^st March 2006 at a ceremony held in the Earl of Desmond Hotel. This was the culmination of 2 years work under the guidance of the HSE Health Promotion Department, which was willingly undertaken because we recognise the value of a H.P.S. in providing a supportive environment for learning and health. Members of a H.P.S community place priority on creating an environment that will have the best possible impact on health and learning of students, staff, parents and visitors to the school. Our initial action plan focused on three areas:

- The promotion of Physical Activity

- The promotion of Healthy Eating

- The promotion of a Positive Affirming Environment

Every class from Junior Infants to 6^th worked with gusto and enthusiasm on all three targets in the campaign and we are all justifiably proud of its success. Now as a recognised H.P.S. we are committed to meeting the following H.P.S.’s criteria:

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1) Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál recognises that the emotional needs of the child must be met to enable the child to benefit from his/her education.

2) Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál provides a social environment conducive to learning through the recognition of the importance of supportive relationships between staff, pupils and parents, and through fostering links with the home and community.

3) School staff have attended S.P.H.E. Training and staff members have attended a recognised School Health Education Training Course. The Pleann Scoile incorporates activity based developmental health education. School has an S.P.H.E. Plan which forms part of the Pleann Scoile.

4) A school policy is in operation with the agreement and support of parents and staff to ensure all pupils are provided with healthy nutritious school lunches.

5) There is regular and frequent participation by all pupils in the school in organised physical activity.

6) A school policy on Safety is in operation. It covers safety within the school premises, arriving at and leaving the school premises and procedures for dealing with medical emergencies. Parents, pupils and staff are fully informed of this policy.

7) With the co-operation and support of the staff and pupils the school environment is clean and attractive.

8) The school has drafted a policy in relation to tobacco, alcohol and substance misuse, with the agreement and support of parents, pupils and staff.

9) The school encourages access to dental, medical and psychological services and appropriate community resources that promote the health needs of children.

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