Safe and Supportive Schools Programme (Info for Parents/Guardians)
Scariff Community College is participating in the ‘Safe and Supportive Schools’ (SASS) Programme run by BelongTo, a national organisation supporting LGBTQ+ young people in Ireland. The programme is a ground-breaking, whole-school strategy to support schools in creating a safe, equal, and inclusive school community for LGBTQ+ students.
At Scariff Community College we are working towards achieving the SASS Quality Mark. The four areas of competency to gain QMark are: Culture, Curriculum, Policy and Planning, and Relationships.
A SASS committee was formed last year to oversee QMark initiatives and staff members involved include: Aoibheann Byrt, Maria Curtin, Monica Keating, Olwin Kelly, Anna-Marie Moroney and Angela McNamara.
To date some of the initiatives of QMark achieved include:
Staff training to support LGBTQ+ students. The training includes how to deal with homophobic, transphobic and biphobic language.
Updating language within SCC policies to ensure that statements are inclusive of all students.
Designating a gender-neutral accessible toilet.
Forming a ‘Gender and Sexualities Alliance Group’ (GSA). It’s a weekly supervised meeting and a safe space for students to participate in workshops, discussions and have fun.
Promoting and Facilitating ‘Stand Up’ Week each year
Stand Up Week is a national LGBTQ+ awareness campaign. It is one of the key initiatives that the SASS committee organise within the school. This year it runs from November 14th-18th and the theme is taking a stand against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic language. #Choose Words that Heal, Not Hurt.
Events include, raising of the LGBTQ+ Flag, a Baking Competition, a Table Quiz and a Wear the Rainbow Colour Day. Any Parents wishing to find out more are welcome to contact the SASS committee.
In addition, all parents are being invited to complete a short anonymous survey, to help us better understand the needs of LGBTQ+ students. If you could take the time to complete this survey by Nov. 21st, it would be much appreciated: Parent/Guardian Survey Tip: If completing it on a phone, rotate it to make it easier to read.
Finally, BelongTo has information and advice for Parents on their website, if anybody wishes to access it. Click on this link: Parents & Carers info