Lead by Una McDonald (Programme Coordinator), pupils in CCM created a Yellow Flag project display of the national flags of countries represented by members of the school community. This colourful visual display can now be seen in the canteen social area.
The Yellow Flag Programme provides a practical series of eight steps to integrate inter-culturalism, equality and diversity into the whole school programme and supports schools to apply them to the day to day running of the school. Students, staff, management, parents and wider community groups address issues of diversity and equality together so that they are not merely seen as ‘school subjects’, but can be understood and applied outside the school setting too.
Like the Green Schools Programme, the Yellow Flag Programme is an award scheme. When the eight steps have been completed, the school is assessed externally, and awarded with a yellow flag in recognition of its work promoting diversity and inclusion. The award is publicised locally, and the school can fly its flag with pride and use the logo on official documents.
Steps of the Yellow Flag Programme:
1. Intercultural and Anti-Racism Training for Staff and Management
2. Going beyond the School’s Walls: Engaging with the Community
3. Establishing a Diversity Committee
4. Conducting an Intercultural Review
5. Formulating an Action Plan for a Diverse School
6. Monitoring and Evaluation and Information Dissemination
7. Curriculum work
8. Production of a Diversity Code and Anti Racist Policy for the school
Delivering the Yellow Flag Programme at
Coláiste Chill Mhantáin