Manor House School

Manor House is delighted to have achieved Health Promoting Schools status.   We received our flag and certificate in May 2019. Well done to all the team, ably led by Ms Johnston.

Health Promoting School (HPS) Update for parents

Manor House is a Health Promoting School.  Our work is based on the publication, 'Schools for Health in Ireland: Framework for Developing a Health Promoting School, Post-Primary', which offers a framework to schools against which they can look at their school, assess health needs and begin a process of working towards better health for all members of the school community.

The HPS team is made up of volunteers from staff, 2 parents,  4 students, a HPS officer from the HSE and a representative from the school cafeteria. Last year, three HPS questionnaires were administered via Office Forms. There were:

• 56 responses from staff
• 163 responses from parents
• 287 responses from students

Based on the responses we are currently working on increasing physical activity, promoting healthy drinks and supporting mental health. This is an on-going process. The Health Promoting School notice board is used to promote health and nutrition advice in school. The school community can stay updated on the HPS team and activities throughout the year on the Manor House Home Economics Blog.  A Healthy Drinks Policy has been introduced, promoting water and milk as the only drinks in school, based on HSE recommendations. The students have been excellent at upholding this policy this year.

The HPS student representatives have spoken to student assemblies about the work of the HPS Team. The Health Promoting School banners were erected inside and outside  the school. The Step Challenge was run for the final term of last year, this was very successful.  Awards were presented to the winners at 3rd year and 1st year assemblies. The Step Challenge continues this year.  All students are encouraged to take part.  Students can walk around the hockey pitch at lunch time, it takes 9 minutes to do the 1000 steps required and collect a stamp. Those with the most steps at the end of the year will receive prizes.  First years have been amazing participants so far and may get a bonus reward for their participation!

Guidance Counsellors  are speaking to student assemblies.  They will endeavour to do so at least once a term and will discuss topical issues that may be causing stress or upset, and remind students of the various supports available to them in school. Many parents and students requested that students be allowed to wear tracksuits to and from school if they have PE first class or last class.This is currently being trialled with two class groups before a decision is made. A plumber has assessed the toilets in the school and has suggested ways to improve the existing toilets.

Speakers on the day will be Colin Donnelly, Anne O'Leary and Eavanna Breen.

Colin will be talking about depression, anxiety and mental health. He works as a personal trainer and is qualified in the field of personal training and gym and fitness instruction and nutrition. He runs his own business called U-fit specialising in the field of physical education for children, teens and adults who are on the Autism Spectrum. He works in schools across Dublin and also provides private individual training. He works with Dublin City council helping to promote health and wellbeing programmes to the special needs community. In his spare time he works as a volunteer for the organisation Aware who offer support, on their telephone support line, to those suffering from depression and bipolar disorder. 

Anne is an anatomy and physiology tutor and she has  skills in  reflexology, bio-magnetic pair therapy and Smovey rings. She will  give a short introduction and demonstration of exercises using Smovey rings.  This is very beneficial as it can be used by people of all ages and abilities.  The rings can be used for general fitness and for improving balance and co-ordination.

Click here for details about the three speakers at this event. Please join us for an interesting morning!

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