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Garda Mark Cussen with 5th & 6th Class and Scoil Naomh Erc.
THE boys and girls of Scoil Naomh Erc, Glenderry, Ballyheigue, enjoyed a great day on Tuesday, June 19, as they raised their Fifth Green Flag and received their certificates for taking part in the Friends for Life programme.
The Friends for Life programme which was delivered to all children from Third to Sixth Class, focused on positive thinking, turning your negatives into positives, recognising and sharing your feelings and learning how to cope in difficult situations.
The programme also helps children to devise coping step plans, recognise who their support network is and develop an awareness for role models.
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The children of Third and Fourth class were honoured when Kerry footballer Donnchadh Walsh presented them with their Friends For Life certificates, while the Fifth and Sixth class were delighted to receive their certificates from Community Garda Mark Cussen.
Both Donnchadh and Mark received a very warm welcome from the Glenderry students. The Kerry All Star was delighted to take part in a question and answer session prepared by the children.
Donnchadh Walsh with Green Schools Committee after raising the flag.
They learned so much about what it takes to rise to top of your sport and how to deal with the good days and the disappointing ones.
Donnchadh and Mark offered the children some excellent advice on how to become more resilient and told the children all about his role models growing up and who helped him to become a top footballer and athlete.
After a roof raising rendition of ‘You’ve got a friend in me’, Donnchadh and Mark presented the children with their certificates. Afterwards Donnchadh did the honour of raising the schools fifth Green Flag.
Scoil Naomh Erc was awarded two very special Green-School awards this year. They received a Smarter Travel Award for promoting green modes of transport to and from school – walking, cycling and taking the bus.
They participated in specific travel workshops with Angela Wall, for cycling and scooting throughout the year, as well as National Walking and Cycling days.
They also received their 5th Green Flag for Biodiversity. They worked on this programme for 2 years, increasing awareness of the importance of native plants, animals and habitats.
They introduced a Wildflower garden, Bug Hotels and Bird Feeders to their school garden. The children learned a lot from this programme and participated in Bug Hunts, Wildflower Walks, Pond dipping at Lerrig Lough and Rock Pooling at the Black Rock with Geoff Hunt, Biodiversity Consultant.
Donnchadh Walsh with the Friends For Life team at Scoil Naomh Erc.
