Local pupils fly the flag for diversity

A NUMBER of local schools were honoured for tackling racism and creating a welcoming school environment at a ceremony in Liberty Hall last week.

Sacred Heart NS, Mulhuddart, in Dublin 15 and Central Model Senior NS, in Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, were amongst 13 schools presented with a Yellow Flag award from Bressie and Ombudsman for Children Niall Muldoon, for their efforts.

Of the 2016 flag recipient schools, three out of 10 pupils surveyed reported to have experienced racism last year and 85 per cent said they would like their school to provide time to celebrate different cultures, languages, religions and identities.

Last week’s multicultural ceremony was attended by schools with pupils representing 83 different nationalities and cultures that had embarked on the eight step Yellow Flag programme.

Each school taking part in the programme must meet specific targets to create an environment where identity and racism bullying is challenged and diversity and equality are embedded within whole school practice.

Teacher at Central Model Senior NS, Marsha Keating, explained what the programme meant to her school.

“Our Yellow Flag symbolises a celebration of the diversity in Central Model Senior School,” she said.

“Working to achieve the flag reinforced the idea that a school should be a place where you are treated equally, you are encouraged to be proud of your own culture and you should be inspired to learn about the cultures of others. 

“Working through the steps of the Yellow Flag Programme cemented this idea and fostered an atmosphere of acceptance and equality in our school.  When people see the flag flying in our yard they will know that we are proud of the many countries and cultures that come together every day and that we work and learn side by side taking pride in our rich diversity.”

Pioneered and coordinated by the Irish Traveller Movement, the multi-level Yellow Flag programme for pupils, teachers, parents and the wider community was established seven years ago.

Its aim is to help support schools create cross-cultural understanding, racial harmony and equal recognition of religious and ethnic traditions that reflect Ireland’s cultural diversity.

Meanwhile, it was announced last week that local schools, Scoil Bhride Cailini in Blanchardstown and St Catherine’s Senior Girl’s School in Cabra are to take part in the Dublin regional final of the Our World Irish Aid Awards 2016 in The Clock Tower, Dublin on May 17.

The awards invited pupils across Ireland to create projects about the lives of children in developing countries to highlight the challenges they face.

A total of 15 schools across the city were chosen to participate in the Dublin regional final and they’ll each be presented with a plaque recognising their outstanding efforts.

Three schools from the 15 finalists will be selected to compete in the Our World Irish Aid Awards national finals in Dublin Castle on June 14.