Press release
Minister Foley congratulates the winning student of the Wellbeing Logo Competition
Published on
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Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has congratulated Neda Kuznecova, a 5th year student in Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on designing the winning wellbeing logo for use by the Department of Education in supporting the wellbeing of school communities. The winning design will be used across a range of publications and online materials.
The Minister spoke with Neda and some of her teachers and principal via video. Minister Foley said:
“Wellbeing is at the core of all that our schools do and the importance of wellbeing in education is reflected in Neda’s design, which is all about working together. The new logo will be prominently displayed on all that the Department does to support wellbeing.
“It is very fitting that a student has designed the Department’s wellbeing logo as it is a reminder of the importance of giving a voice to students.”
The competition was open to senior cycle students to create a logo representing Wellbeing in Education. The Department received over 200 entries. The judging panel comprised a representative of the National College of Art and Design, a design professional, post-primary students and representatives of the Department of Education.
The judging panel expressed the view that the standard of entries was extremely high and that the students should be commended for their aptitude and skill in comprehending, visualising and translating a multifaceted brief into a logo design. The panel went on to say that the winning design resonated with its vibrant use of colour, simplicity of its form while also utilising a friendly and accessible illustrative approach that would work well as a logo across a broad range of media.
Neda was presented with a laptop and her school received €500 to fund an aspect of wellbeing promotion in their school.
Ms Allen, Principal said:
“As a school community, we are all very proud of Neda and her artistic expression of how important wellbeing is to the work that underpins learning. Her logo is a wonderful art piece. Our teachers and staff work enthusiastically to ensure that wellbeing teaching and learning moments are woven into our school curriculum and school life in HFSS. It has never been more important to pause and reflect on the environment needed for real learning to flourish, than in our current COVID 19 school life.”
Neda said:
“I used primary colours in the logo, as they go together even though they are different. I used the leaf symbolism to demonstrate that through unity, wellbeing can grow. I’m very grateful to the Minister of Education, Norma Foley for this acknowledgement and support.”
This week also marks the end of the Wellbeing Action Research Project which saw 30 schools (10 post-primary and 20 primary) assist the Department in reviewing and planning for the needs of schools in relation to wellbeing promotion. The project which was led by the Department’s Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) in collaboration with its Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) and the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), supported the 30 schools as they reviewed their wellbeing promotion process. On Thursday 26 November the schools will share their journey at an online event. The Minister thanked the schools for participating in the project and wished them well as they continue to support the wellbeing of their school community.
The Wellbeing Policy and Framework for Practice was published by the Department of Education and Skills in July 2018 and refreshed in 2019. Since then work has been underway to support schools as they embark on a review of wellbeing promotion in their schools.
The Department worked with 30 schools (10 post-primary and 20 primary) in an Action Research Project to support the implementation of the DES Wellbeing Promotion Process. The work was led by the Department’s Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) in collaboration with its Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) and NEPS. The outcomes from the project will assist the Department in reviewing and planning for the needs of schools in relation to wellbeing promotion nationally.