Celebrating Mayo’s first LIFT leadership flag schools
The Sacred Heart School Westport and Mount St. Michael Secondary School Claremorris are proudly celebrating the first LIFT Leadership Flags to be awarded in Mayo.
LIFT Ireland (Leading Ireland’s Future Together) is a non-profit organisation delivering values-based leadership programmes to corporate, public sector, community and third level partners across Ireland.
"The feedback from our engagement with LIFT Ireland has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the value and impact of this initiative within our community,” said Jessica Duffy, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Student Experience and Partnership Coordinator.
University of Galway Lecturer Michael Campion added: “I believe it is so important for the next leaders of Irish business to learn to check their decisions against ethical standards and demonstrate values-based leadership in how they work with people. The LIFT programme is an effective way for my undergraduate business students to reflect on their personal values and leadership.”
LIFT profits go towards funding the LIFT Schools’ Programme to build our future leaders. Since 2019, the programme has grown exponentially and 425 post-primary schools across Ireland are now doing LIFT programmes to allow their students to develop these valuable life and leadership skills.
Most schools choose to run the programme with Transition Year students, and they are eligible to apply for a LIFT flag after embedding the programme for two years.
Sacred Heart School students also ran a modified version of the programme in Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche, helping 6th class pupils to reflect on and strengthen their listening, positive attitude and fairness skills. Other primary schools in Westport are looking forward to benefitting from Sacred Heart’s leadership later in the year. “Through the LIFT programme, we’ve watched our students grow into caring young leaders—showing responsibility, kindness, and a willingness to reflect and learn,” said Sacred Heart School teacher Jacqueline Flattery.
Mount St. Michael Secondary School expanded the programme across multiple year groups and have plans to facilitate LIFT roundtables in their local primary school.
Grace McGee, Wellbeing Lead said:
“It has been wonderful to see the students grow and develop in confidence, leadership, and empathy. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch them reflect on their experiences and engage meaningfully with important themes such as respect, resilience, and understanding.”
Another strong LIFT Partner School is Sancta Maria College in Louisburgh – they are expected to achieve their LIFT Leadership Flag next term.
LIFT Ireland extends sincere thanks all the principals, teachers and students who believe that good leadership matters and who make the programme successful in their schools.
LIFT Ireland also wants to thank their incredible LIFT partners who help to fund the programme. If you would like to know how you can help embed LIFT and expand it to other schools in the region, please visit here.