Scoil Mhuire Navan awarded Yellow Flag in recognition of anti-racism policy
Scoil Mhuire Navan has been awarded a Yellow Flag in recognition of intercultural and anti-racism policy and activities in the school at a national awards ceremony.
The Primary school which has 196 pupils – and received its recognition at the annual Yellow Flag Programme Awards in Dublin this week (Thursday, April 10). The Programme supports schools to challenge racism and discrimination – and awarded seven schools across the country for their work to build anti-racist school communities.
Scoil Mhuire joins 136 Primary and Post Primary schools nationwide – reaching approximately 50,000 students and 5,000 teachers – which follow the Yellow Flag steps to embed inclusivity and diversity in practice and policy across the whole environment of teachers, pupils, parents and community.
Asked about how the Programme worked in the school and importance of engagement with parents, Teacher Treasa McAteer said: “The Parent Representatives on our Diversity Committee were wonderfully positive and eager to get involved in all aspects of our work for the Yellow Flag. This was due to the fantastic work by staff in building strong relationships between our parents and our school. Our parents regularly engage with activities in our school which made it an easy task to seek their inclusion in our Yellow Flag Programme”.
Asked if there any special celebrations at school because of the Yellow Flag Programme and what their favourite part was, pupil Lana Al A’araj said: “We have Intercultural Celebrations in our school every second year already, but it was really nice to make an extra special effort for that day at the end of the Yellow Flag Programme. We really enjoyed our wear red against racism and wear white for peace days and Lá Ildaite where we got to wear our own country colours as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge. I really liked being part of the Diversity committee and I’m now a member of our Student Council in the school.”
Speaking at the annual awards, Yellow Flag Programme National Coordinator Sian Mooney congratulated the whole school community at Scoil Mhuire. She also highlighted a survey of teachers the programme carried out, which showed that more than four in five (81%) of teachers had never attended intercultural or anti-racism training. “Government investment is needed to support teachers in responding to racism and to equip them with specific knowledge and skills in intercultural education”.
The Awards ceremony was opened by the Ombudsman for Children Dr. Niall Muldoon who highlighted the critical role it plays. “It crucial that we invest in programmes like the Yellow Flag because it is an investment into a more stable and positive future – socially, educationally, economically and democratically. It is very positive to see that so much of the work to create this programme is led by the students themselves.
“Having children and young people driving inclusion and anti-racism is the secret to changing society over the long term. By giving them an opportunity to lead on such an important subject they learn, very quickly, that they do have a voice and that voice can make a significant contribution to the wellbeing of their school and community.”
Sian Mooney concluded by highlighting the importance of the Programme in Ireland today: “With a marked increase in incidents of racism, the Yellow Flag Programme’s role is more essential than ever, fostering inclusive education and equipping young people, their families, teachers and the wider community with the skills to counteract racism and promote unity within communities.”