Wellbeing & SPHE
At Scoil Chlochair Mhuire, we believe that a happy, confident child is a child who can learn. Wellbeing is not something we fit in around the edges, it is central to everything we do, every single day.
The Wellbeing curriculum area encompasses two important subjects: Physical Education (PE) and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE). Together they address the physical, social, emotional and spiritual dimensions of children's development. In the updated Primary Curriculum Framework (2023), "Being Well" is identified as one of the seven key competencies, reflecting how seriously wellbeing is now placed at the heart of primary education in Ireland.
Our staff have been trained in the Wellbeing curriculum area and its underpinning principles. SPHE cultivates self-awareness, resilience and a positive sense of self, while recognising the rich variety of cultures, identities, backgrounds and families represented in our classrooms.
To support our SPHE programme, we use two evidence-informed programmes: Stay Safe and Weaving Wellbeing. Stay Safe is a child protection programme that teaches children to recognise unsafe situations, understand appropriate boundaries and know how and when to seek help from a trusted adult. Weaving Wellbeing is a structured, classroom-based programme designed to build children's emotional literacy, resilience and positive mental health, giving them practical skills they can draw on throughout their lives.
Child protection is an integral part of SPHE. The curriculum supports children to recognise healthy, unhealthy and harmful behaviours within relationships.
We know these are topics that matter deeply to parents. If you have any questions about what we teach, how we teach it, or how you can reinforce these conversations at home, we warmly welcome that conversation.