Limerick school wins Narrative 4 Bronze Empathy School Award

Mungret Community College celebrates its Bronze Empathy School Award for promoting empathy, kindness and connection.

Narrative 4’s Bronze Empathy School Award recognises schools that promote empathy, kindness and connection among students and staff

Mungret Community College is Limerick’s second recipient of Narrative 4’s Empathy School Award, a National Award for secondary schools. This award recognises schools that promote empathy, kindness and connection among students and staff.

Laura Duff, Programme Coordinator at Narrative 4 Ireland says “Narrative 4 is delighted to award Mungret Community College as the second school in Limerick to achieve the Bronze Empathy School Award! The staff and students at Mungret Community College have done amazing work in the past year, putting an emphasis on empathy and social connection. Empathy is an important life skill that allows us to identify how others are feeling, to build positive relationships and combat bullying and conflict amongst young people.” 

“The staff at Mungret Community College have undergone training and the students have taken part in a variety of activities like the Story Exchange and the Narrative 4km Walk and Talk. These activities are designed to improve student’s well-being through connection and physical activity.”

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Aoife Ryan, teacher and trained Narrative 4 facilitator at Mungret Community College says “We are delighted to receive our Bronze Empathy School Award! The students have really enjoyed the process of learning about empathy and getting to know each other better. I can see the programme has had a positive effect on students’ well-being and relationships within the class. We look forward to going for Silver!” 

Narrative 4 was co-founded in 2012 by New York-based Irish author Colum McCann, who went on to bring it to Ireland in 2016. The registered charity has trained hundreds of teachers and youth workers to deliver an evidence-based teaching method that fosters connection, empathy and encourages positive relationships in the classroom. It has won several awards and praise from students, parents, teachers and beyond. Narrative 4 has received recognition and support from organisations such as Rethink Ireland, the JP McManus Fund, the Ireland Funds, and Creative Ireland.

McCann says the work that the organisation does offers benefits across society: “This is about embedding empathy work into our schools. So many schools are doing amazing work, but it’s clear there’s potential to do so much more. We’re at a real turning point in our world, and I think this can be a transformative moment for the better. Change starts with education, and by giving our young people the right opportunities. That’s why we developed this award. Our hope is that it provides a valuable and timely offering for schools. I’ve seen first-hand how this work brings benefits to staff, students and, in fact, entire school cultures. This ripples into our homes and into society, creating a kinder and more nuanced world, something that is very much needed right now.”

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