St Francis and Spa PS pupils connect through Shared Education wellbeing programme

Across five shared sessions, pupils came together to connect, be active, give, keep learning and take notice. From icebreakers, scavenger hunts and team challenges to dance, gymnastics, creative arts, alpaca encounters and outdoor reflection, each activity helped pupils build confidence, friendships and teamwork skills.

Highlights included designing collaborative T-shirts to create a shared identity, making thoughtful “Reasons I Love You” jars for parents and carers, trying new experiences at Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes and creating mindful landscape artwork at Castlewellan Forest Park.

The partnership gave pupils valuable opportunities to learn alongside one another in supportive and engaging settings, while strengthening positive relationships between both school communities.

By the end of the programme, pupils had developed new skills, deepened friendships and gained a stronger understanding of wellbeing — laying firm foundations for continued collaboration between St Francis Primary School and Spa Primary School.

The PEACEPLUS ASPIRE project is led by the Education Authority in partnership with Léargas, Early Years – the organisation for young children, the National Childhood Network, and the Fermanagh Trust. The project is funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).