A County Cavan school has officially launched its Positivity Pebbles Garden - celebrating creativity, inclusion, and positive mental health in schools.
A pupil-led idea to promote positive mental health
Following their success in our 2024/25 Mission Possible School Achievement Awards, students at St Clare’s National School in Co Cavan officially launched their Positivity Pebbles initiative to coincide with World Mental Health Day.
As one of this year’s award winners, St Clare’s received €1,000 in prize funding and ongoing support to bring their wellbeing idea to life. Their Positivity Pebbles winning project, designed and proposed by students, invited every pupil to design and paint a personal pebble featuring a wellbeing message, image, word, or pattern that reflected something meaningful to them.
Bringing a wellbeing message to life
Led by the school’s Wellbeing Committee, each of the 424 pupils, along with staff members, created their own pebble during the school’s annual Creative Week in June. The colourful designs were then gathered and displayed in the schoolyard before being sealed and placed in their permanent home in the school’s sensory garden, forming a bright, calming pathway.
Children from across all class levels shared their inspiration for their designs - from flowers and rainbows to friendship and kindness - each pebble contributing to a collective message of positivity and support.
Teacher Verena Cunningham, who coordinated the project, said the garden is a symbol of creativity and inclusion:
"This idea was originally proposed by our pupils, and with the support of the Walk in My Shoes (WIMS) team and our ever-supportive school community, it became a reality. The garden is rooted in our message to students; we want them to ‘Be You’. It celebrates the creativity and uniqueness of each child and reminds us all how important it is to tend to our mental health, just like we care for the flowers and plants in our gardens."
As part of their prize, St Clare’s National School was awarded the title of WIMS Ambassador School, and an ongoing support package to help lead on mental health promotion in schools. The Mission Possible School Achievement Awards recognise meaningful efforts by schools to promote mental health and wellbeing in classrooms and communities across Ireland.
Supporting mental health in schools
Paul Gilligan, Chief Executive Officer of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, praised the initiative, highlighting its role in normalising conversations around wellbeing:
“As we celebrate World Mental Health Day 2025, we’re now delighted to visit St Clare’s National School and witness first-hand the positive impact their mental health work is having on students and the wider community. Initiatives like the Positivity Pebbles Garden help educate children about mental health from a young age and break down stigma.
At WIMS, we recognise the vital role schools play in fostering empathy, inclusion and wellbeing. By creating spaces where every young person feels valued and supported, schools like St Clare’s help ensure all children have an opportunity to thrive.”
National recognition on RTÉ News2day
The launch was celebrated with a feature on RTÉ's news2day programme.
A lasting legacy of wellbeing and inclusion
The project stands as a lasting reminder of the school’s commitment to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing that will continue to inspire pupils and their communities.