Friendship Week 2015

The 10th of February marked the beginning of Moyne College Friendship/Anti-Bullying Week, with a poignant opening ceremony delivered by Principal Siobhan Towey conveying the message of the importance of friendships within our school. The purpose of this week was to promote positive interactions among students and staff alike, enabling them to trust in each other, support each other and to share kindness. This was achieved through carefully chosen activities carried out in a positive manner whilst promoting the message that bullying will not be tolerated in our school, thus allowing every student to feel safe, unthreatened and accepted for who they are. Students were set the target to fill the ‘Heart of Kindness’ with posts of people who carried out

‘Random Acts of Kindness ‘during the week and this task certainly exceeded all expectations. A number of friendship sheriffs were on duty looking out for students carrying out good deeds which were tallied up and rewarded at the closing ceremony. Other activities that took place during the week included making friendship bracelets, a Hands of Unity wreath, clay modelling and team-building activities. Representatives from the local NYP visited our school to deliver a valuable workshop on anti-bullying and, in particular, cyber-bullying.

As we are working towards the Blue Shield Award Alona Levinge, a representative from the ISPCC Castlebar, attended our closing ceremony, informing the students of services available to them if they find themselves being bullied. Being awarded the Blue Shield Flag will symbolise that our school is proactive in stamping out bullying and highlighting that inclusion and acceptance of one another is at the core of our school ethos.

The week came to an exciting close with staff, students and parents releasing blue balloons carrying the wishes of all our students. Ms Towey is hopeful that Friendship/Anti-Bullying Week will become an annual event in Moyne College based on this year’s success.