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Wellbeing by Design – Minister McHugh launches competition for Students to Make their Mark in Wellbeing with Logo Competition

Wellbeing Min McHugh

The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD has today (Wednesday 16 October) launched a new art and design competition for senior cycle students to create a logo representing Wellbeing in Education/Folláin san Oideachas.

The winning design will be used on all materials and resources supporting the Department’s Wellbeing Policy in all schools and centres for education.

Minister McHugh said:

I am delighted to announce this exciting competition for students to design a new logo that will symbolise the importance of Wellbeing in Education.

It is a first class opportunity for students to put their stamp on a new and growing aspect of education. It’s open to all senior cycle students and it’s open to students to let their creativity and talent take over to help promote wellbeing.

The winning logo will be a reminder of how students’ voices should be and are being heard.

We all have a role to play in making sure that wellbeing is at the heart of our schools. We know from research that children and young people learn more effectively if they are happy in their work, believe in themselves and feel supported.

When I visit schools, I am always excited to see the incredible artistic and design talents of our young people on display all over the walls – I have no doubt we will see amazing entries that really explore the issue of Wellbeing in Education.

The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 6th December 2019.

The winning entry will be selected by a panel of judges including the Minister for Education and Skills, a representative of the National College of Art and Design, other design professionals and representatives of the Department of Education and Skills.

The winner will receive a laptop and the winning school will receive €500 to fund an aspect of wellbeing promotion in their school.

Further information can be accessed at: https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/wellbeingineducation

Two other initiatives to support schools were also launched today:

  • New Wellbeing resources for schools: A new pack: Wellbeing Resources for Schools, which includes a suite of resources to support schools to implement a school self-evaluation and improvement plan for wellbeing promotion. The full resource pack is available here:

https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/wellbeingineducation

  • Action Research project in 30 Schools: This project aims to explore the needs and practices of schools and centres for education in relation to Wellbeing promotion. It will provide feedback and information on continuous professional development resources for teachers in the area of Wellbeing. Schools of all types from different parts of Ireland are participating. The Department’s Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) in collaboration with the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), the Junior Cycle for Teachers Service (JCT) and the Department’s Inspectorate are commencing this project today.

The action research project is one of the actions included in the Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice published by the Department in 2018.