Wellbeing is a central part of the Primary Curriculum Framework and is recognised as vital for children’s learning and development. It supports children in feeling safe, happy, and connected, while also encouraging healthy habits that last a lifetime.
The Wellbeing area includes two subjects:
- Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE): helping children to understand themselves and others, to make healthy choices, and to build positive relationships. Within SPHE, children are also taught the Stay Safe programme, Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE), and from 4th Class upwards, the FUSE Anti-Bullying programme. In Scoil Mhuire Brierhill, our Bí Cineálta initiative and the use of Restorative Practice are also part of how we promote kindness, respect, and positive relationships.
Physical Education (PE): developing children’s movement skills, confidence, and enjoyment of physical activity through a wide range of games, sports, and activities. Each class has weekly playground visits as part of PE, and daily movement breaks are built into every teacher’s timetable to keep children active and energised. From 1st Class upwards, pupils take part in swimming lessons each year, and across the year the whole school benefits from visiting coaches in sports such as hurling and Gaelic football.
Wellbeing is not confined to these subjects alone — it is part of the whole school experience. Through daily interactions, play, friendships, physical activity, and creative expression, children learn skills that support their mental, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing.