NEW KINDNESS BENCH: Gaelscoil Faithleann pupils sitting on their new 'Kindness Bench' that has been installed in the school. Pictured from left: James O'Conchur Pleamon, Conor O'Randal, Lily Ni She, Dearbhla Ni Chonaill and Rory Salvador. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

By Michelle Crean

The importance of friendship and kindness is the focal point of a new bench installed in one local school this week.

The Parents Council at Gaelscoil Faithleann organised a kindness bench with the message ‘Is fearr cairde ná ór’ – ‘friends are better than gold’ written across it, to remind all in the school to be kind to each other.

“We are delighted to have this bench here – it is a focal point with a strong reminder that we all need, of the importance of friends and kindness,” Chair of the Parents Council, Mary Carroll, said.  “Children learn so much each day in school, but one of the most important messages for all of us is that if you can be anything in this world, be kind.”

The production of the bench was a team effort over the summer, turning it into a work of art with a message. Coupled with this, the Gaelscoil this week had a very interesting parents talk on cyber safety and behaviour online from the ‘Children of the Digital Age’ group, and according to Mary the message there was to behave online as you would in the real world – be kind in both.

“It was an amazing talk by Children of the Digital Age, with the large attendance of parents given stark insights and information into the digital world by Jason O’Mahony. He said that the biggest danger online is ourselves, and our belief that we are in control and safe. We download lots of free Apps – but there is nothing free and these Apps can garner a lot of information about us which is sold onto third parties.”

Mary added that one of the most interesting aspects of his talk that sets it apart from other cyber safety talks, was his discussion on the psychology of our online behaviour.

“We heard that the impacts of social media on young people are huge as they are looking at unrealistic lives and it has been shown that the more image based Apps they are exposed to the more comparisons they make with themselves. Communication is key – talking to your children and making sure they can come to you about anything they see online is most important.”