This week has been designated Friendship Week in Mary, Mother of Hope Schools.
Over the week, we will be taking time with the children to discuss issues around friendships and relationships. We will explore with the children their feelings and attitudes towards friendships, how to make friends, how to keep friends and how to handle situations where friendships break down.
Focus on bullying
In doing this we will have a particular focus on bullying. The school has developed a very strong anti-bullying policy. We are committed to ensuring that the children have an awareness of the issues around bullying. This is done in our schools throughout the year, but with a special emphasis during Friendship Week.
School-Based Activities
During the week, teachers will work with the children in the classes on various activities. These include:
Random Acts of Kindness
Class-based workshop on the school’s Anti-Bullying Code
Friendship Week Song: This is Me from the Greatest Showman
Classroom discussion with a focus on the different types of bullying
We will also be organising events between the Junior and Senior schools as part of Friendship Week.
Friendship Week Poetry Competition.
Friendship Week Poster Competition about Cyber Bullying
Friendship week fundraiser with Pieta House
As part of Friendship week and the Amber Flag initiative, both schools are holding an Amber Day for Pieta House on this Friday 1st March.
Children, staff and parents are asked to wear something Amber/orange and make a donation of €1/€2 to this wonderful charity.
Our school community understands the importance of looking after each other and providing help when needed. Pieta House provides free, therapeutic support to people who are in suicidal distress and those who engage in self-harm. They can be contacted on 1800 247247 should you, a family member or friend ever need support.
I am very grateful to Ms. Martina Galligan, our SPHE co-ordinator, for the work she does in organizing the activities for Friendhip Week. We hope that the children will enjoy the various activities planned for Friendship Week, and that this focus will help us all make sure that school is a happy and fun place for children to be.
Enda McGorman 27th February, 2019
