Kildare schools recognised for efforts to promote cultural inclusion
Receiving a Yellow Flag Award for 2026 pupils and teachers from Curragh Community College. l-r Caitlín Shanahan, Anjali Santhosh, Kiera Sibanda, Tea Sose, Nicoleta Cammenschii and teachers Karolina Streit and Victoria Ryan-Nesbitt
CURRAGH Community College and Piper’s Hill College in Kildare has been awarded a Yellow Flag in recognition of its commitment to intercultural inclusion and addressing racism through policies and practises in the school.
The local schools received its recognition at the annual Yellow Flag Programme Awards in Dublin on Thursday 30 April.
The Yellow Flag Programme (YFP) is a practical whole-school initiative, for both Primary and Post Primary schools, which supports them to become more inclusive of all cultures and ethnicities, celebrate diversity and challenge racism and discrimination.
Curragh Community College has 224 pupils and 28 teachers.
Teacher at Curragh Community College Nicola Doran described the changes she has seen as a result of the YFP.
“Before the introduction of the Yellow Flag Programme (YFP), students from minority ethnic backgrounds often tended to stay within their own friendship groups, and there was limited interaction between different cultural or ethnic groups in the school.
“Since the implementation of the Yellow Flag Programme, there has been a noticeable shift in this dynamic. The programme has encouraged greater inclusion through student led initiatives, intercultural activities, and whole school discussions around diversity and respect. As a result, students are now more likely to mix across different groups, leading to increased integration and stronger relationships within the school community.”
Fourth Year student Tea Sose described what the school had done to involve her family and welcome them to the school community.
“We had a bake sale where we invited students and their parents to bake something from their culture or something they like to bake as a family. This made me feel included in the school community.
“It was really nice to see the different families baking together and respecting each other. We also got to learn about different cultures and their cuisine. It was a really fun experience and I would recommend it to other schools.”
Teacher at Piper’s Hill Gráinne Brennan described how the PRogramme supported a whole school anti-racism and inclusion environment: “It supported and re-emphasised all the supports we had already in the school of recognising and reporting racism. It also gave students a further voice and consultation in this.
“It addressed and enhanced our school community's understanding on this issue not just within the classroom but also outside the classroom with presentations, speakers, workshops, Cultural week and many other activities. It became a very positive experience in our school.”
Piper’s Hill has 999 pupils and 86 teachers Third Year Student Hao Yin Choo described the main benefits of YFP for her school and wider community, particularly when it comes to challenging racism in school life.
"Many cultures have been represented and the atmosphere of our school has felt more inclusive. There have been many activities to encourage students to be kind and accepting of other races and to educate others about racism.”
