It Takes A Village Issues Progress Report At Whale Theatre In Greystones

The official publication of the It Takes A Village Research Evaluation Report by Dr. Mags Crean, of Maynooth University has been launched by An Tánaiste Simon Harris TD in the Whale Theatre.

The initiative was first launched in 2023 – led by Rachel Harper, Principal of St. Patrick’s National School in Greystones  and involved all eight primary schools in the areas of Wicklow coming together to work with the community to assist children, families and teachers in need of help with issues around anxiety in young children.

Part of the initiative was the introduction of a voluntary No Smart Phone code in all eight primary schools.

As a result the Irish Government published guidelines to support parents and parent associations wishing to develop voluntary codes regarding smartphone use among primary school children.

The event on March 21st will also hear details of a new My Digital Wellbeing Passport being rolled out for sixth class students who are transitioning from primary to secondary school level. 

This free It Takes A Village event, hosted by television presenter Anna Daly, will also reflect on a successful 2024 and the securing of funding for two play therapists to work with children, parents and teachers across the eight primary schools in the area.

Tánaiste Simon Harris paid tribute to the schools involved in the initiative and issued a stark warning about the rising threat of toxic masculinity in online spaces with self-proclaimed “alpha males” like Conor McGregor and Andrew Tate.

You can find out more about It Takes A Village’s here.