Wellbeing in Scoil Mocheallóg.
We take the wellbeing of our pupils and staff seriously in Scoil Mocheallóg. As a staff we feel the mental health of our staff and students is crucial for a happy and healthy school environment.
Pupils will learn more effectively and engage in the school process more when they are in a healthy frame of mind.
With this in mind we took some small steps in this area to initiate a path to monitor and support good mental health practices within our school.
We launched a programme in 2018 in 5th/6th class called Weaving wellbeing.
The units in this programme were, Respect, Empathy, Looking for win wins, Active listening and Forgiveness.
Some comments from staff working on Wellbeing Programmes within the classroom.
Chess Eoin Quane
Students from 3rd to 6th have learned chess since December. In addition, a Chess Club has been set up, taking place once a week during lunch time. There has been an extremely positive attitude towards the board game, which allows all types of student the chance to challenge and problem solve in a different context. Not only is it a successful social and competitive outlet for students not interested in sports, it also has proven to be successful in helping students channel their energy into sustaining their focus and concentration skills.
Weaving wellbeing. Miriam Rainsford, Eoin Quane
The students of 5th and 6th have being taking part in the 6th Class Edition of Weaving Wellbeing as part of S.P.H.E. Empowering beliefs is the focus in this series. It’s general aim to give the resilience, the confidence and the self-esteem to students to deal with all of the pressures of modern society they will face as they grow. With the aid of creative Power points and videos, as well as student friendly workbooks, it has been received very well by teachers and students alike. More engaging discussions and the opportunity to express one selves better in a safe environment, have been some of the positive outcomes. I think the Weaving Wellbeing is a very beneficial programme for young people. I am currently teaching the Empowering Beliefs 6th class programme.
My class really enjoy the topics discussed each week. There is full attention when we firstly look at the Power point and discuss one of the topics e.g. fixed/growth mind set or catastrophizing/mind reading, or when we look at the empowering video or finally do personal work in our workbooks.
I find that children really enjoy learning about how their brains work-they often at this age don’t have the ability to articulate how they are feeling so this gives them an opportunity to discuss. In fact for some children the topic covered might not really make sense for a few years. Having their own personal workbook gives them the opportunity to record thoughts/scenarios etc (teacher will never ask them to read unless they offer to do so, so they have confidence in recording their own thoughts), but also to have this book as a reference should they need to read again in the future.
Since starting this course, I have found that some children are more confident in that they will offer to put themselves forward for a ‘job’…I hope to see this confidence flourish in the weeks to come.
Weaving Wellbeing was rolled out for 3rd and 4th in 2019.
Yoga. Ita West
Lunchtime yoga for senior classes takes place on a weekly basis over one or two terms for students in all classes. Students are offered the opportunity to take part in a class that is open to children of all abilities. In the class students are guided through basic yoga postures and breathing exercises. The postures performed help students to develop their core strength, flexibility and balance and also improve concentration, focus and attention.
The class is designed to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere where students can unwind. At the end of each session students partake in a guided meditation exercise before returning to class.
Gardening club. Sinead Clifford
The Gardening Club was set up after Easter 2018. It is an all-inclusive club where selected pupils are given the opportunity to plant, care for and harvest food based plants. Good behaviour is rewarded by ongoing membership of the club. It is clear to see how pupils become enthralled in the process of caring for plants. Seeing a result, like a seed sprouting after just a few days on a windowsill can instil hope as they see a result for their input.
Yoga for Younger Classes.
All classes from Junior Infants to Second class did two six week sessions of yoga with Ita West. This proved to be very beneficial and extremely enjoyable.