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A Global Milestone in Empathy Education, Celebrating a Historic Achievement in Dublin
In Ireland, the transformative power of storytelling is reshaping the way schools approach student wellbeing. Through the Empathy School Awards, Narrative 4 (N4) is driving a movement to create school cultures centered on empathy, kindness, connection, and understanding, helping students feel seen, heard, and valued.
To date, 108 post-primary schools have registered for the Empathy School Award, marking a significant step forward in fostering compassionate communities across the country. Of these schools, 17 have achieved Bronze and 3 have earned Silver, demonstrating a widespread commitment to creating environments where students thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.
This year marked a historic moment for N4 and the Empathy School Awards with Santa Sabina Dominican College in Dublin earning the first-ever Gold Empathy School Award in the world. This groundbreaking achievement sets a global precedent for what’s possible when schools prioritize empathy and wellbeing in their educational environments. Santa Sabina’s dedication to embedding empathy into their culture through N4’s practices exemplifies the program’s potential to transform not only classrooms but entire school communities.
In addition, Hartstown Community School, also in Dublin, earned the first-ever Silver Empathy School Award this year, recognizing the school’s exceptional commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion, care, and relationship building through N4’s Story Exchange methodology. These awards highlight how schools in Ireland are increasingly integrating N4’s core principles into their curricula, supporting holistic student development and creating a positive, supportive atmosphere for learning.
“The Narrative 4 programme has been a wonderful experience for Hartstown Community School,” said Orlagh Duke, a teacher at Hartstown. “We value the happiness of our students. We believe that the holistic development of our students is paramount, and this programme promotes relationship building, inclusion, and care. These factors contribute to an effective learning environment in our classrooms as well as a school culture which promotes student wellbeing.”
At Hartstown, Santa Sabina, and many other participating schools, the aim is clear: to create environments where empathy isn’t just taught—it’s lived. Through N4’s Story Exchange, students and teachers alike engage in deep listening and open dialogue, strengthening their relationships, navigating differences, and developing the emotional intelligence needed to build a kinder, more inclusive society.
As the number of schools adopting these practices continues to grow, the impact of N4 in Ireland—and globally—is undeniable. These schools are not just teaching academic subjects; they are nurturing students who are emotionally aware, compassionate, and ready to engage with the world in meaningful ways.The future of education in Ireland and beyond looks brighter as the culture of empathy spreads, one story at a time. With Santa Sabina Dominican College setting the gold standard for empathy in schools, and Hartstown Community School exemplifying the power of N4’s principles, it’s clear that the movement for student wellbeing and connection is not just gaining momentum—it’s making history.
We’ve been featured on MSN News! Read more about this milestone here.
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