Ballincollig secondary school recognised for its efforts in promoting empathy

A Ballincollig-based secondary school has become the first in the county to receive a Narrative 4 Ireland Empathy School Award – an award which recognises and celebrates secondary schools that promote empathy, kindness and connection among students and staff.

Le Chéile Secondary School Ballincollig, which was established just two years ago, has been awarded the Narrative 4 Bronze School Award in recognition of the school’s commitment to promoting empathy, diversity and community among its student body through the transformative power of storytelling.

"Being the first school in Cork to receive the Narrative 4 Bronze School Award is an honour and a testament to the dedication of our students and staff,” principal of Le Chéile Secondary School Ballincollig, Nicola Barrett, said.

“We believe in the power of storytelling to bridge gaps and cultivate understanding, and this recognition validates our commitment to creating an inclusive and compassionate learning environment.

“At the heart of our efforts lies the foundation of nurturing students' wellbeing, and as a result, we've witnessed the positive impact it has had on their academic achievements”.

Narrative 4 was established in Ireland in 2016 and is a registered charity.

The programme is rooted in the practice of story exchange where trained facilitators work with young people to use their own stories to build empathy, shatter stereotypes and break down barriers.

The "story exchange" process allows participants from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences to come together to share their personal narratives with one another.

Through this exchange, individuals have the opportunity to step into each other's shoes, experiencing the world from another person's perspective.

Le Chéile Secondary School Ballincollig was also awarded the Amber Flag at the end of the previous academic year for promoting positive mental health.

The school said it has “worked hard to establish a safe, welcoming atmosphere that promotes mental health” and welcomed that this has been acknowledged by the Pieta Amber Flag initiative.