ONE GOOD SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
During Mental Health Awareness Week in CCM, 6-10 March, we were talking about the importance of mental health and raising awareness as part of Jigsaw's One Good School initiative. Each day students completed an online course, 'Let's Talk, Sure Why Not?', on mental health and the importance of talking about it. In addition, students were given the opportunity during the week to take a short break from their books and go outside to get some steps in for the CCM steps challenge.
Very well done to the OGS student representatives, James O'Donnell, Brann Morrissey, Chloe McEvoy and Aoife Treanor who helped to facilitate activities throughout the week. They were busy all week visiting classes and making announcements on Mental Health. On Tuesday, Chloe McEvoy gave the morning announcement and talked about Pieta House's Darkness into Light event and every student in the school received a sticker for their journal with the Jigsaw QR code giving them direct access to the information and help provided by Jigsaw, including the option to talk online with a clinician. The QR code is also on display in various places around the school.
On Wednesday, we were delighted to welcome Tommy and James from Trifactor Fitness to present to senior students on the importance of minding their mental health. They shared some personal experiences and coping mechanisms that the students found very helpful. Brann Morrissey gave the morning announcement and talked about Mental Health Ireland's '5 Steps to Wellbeing' initiative. Every student in the school received a bookmark with the 5 keywords associated with wellbeing which are Connect; Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give.
'Thank Crunchie it's Friday' was Friday's theme thanks to Centra in Rathnew who sponsored a crunchie bar for every member of the school community to celebrate the end of the CCM Mental Health Awareness Week.Thank you to all the students who submitted posters on the theme of 'What do you do to keep positive?' They are now on display in the canteen area. Well done to the winners of the poster competition, Julia Grzesko, Caitlin Power and Noah Lorenz who were presented with Wicklow Town vouchers by Principal, Mr Donoghue.
Mental Health Awareness Week was a resounding success! Thank you sincerely to Ms Ann Chambers and the OGS committee for leading the initiative. It created a lovely, positive atmosphere in the school and opened up conversation about the importance of good mental health.
#Jigsaw #OneGoodSchool #PowersCentraRathnew #WicklowDIL #MentalHealthIreland #Trifactorfitness
SEACHTAIN NA GAEILGE
Gach lá, the "nath an lae" comórtas was published in Staff News each morning with a junior, senior and staff winner each day. Uibheacha Chásca mar dhuaiseanna!
Ag am sos agus lóin, the student council members were on the corridors offering milseáin as an incentive to anyone who wished to share their "cúpla focail" with them.
The comórtas foirne was open to all staff, encouraging staff to use Gaeilge in class or during the day. Those who used the most frásaí or completed the liosta first were announced ar an Déardaoin.
Dé Luain, ag am sos, Irish music was played over the PE speakers in the gym, for everyone to enjoy in the canteen area. Dé Máirt, ag am lón, there was a tin whistle workshop in the music room at lunchtime, open to all staff and students. Dé Céadaoin, ag am sos, Irish music was again played over the PE speakers in the gym, for everyone to enjoy in the canteen area. Déardaoin, ag am Lón Gaeilge, all staff and students were welcome to the halla to enjoy a cupán tae, brioscaí agus cúpla focail.
Many thanks to the Irish Department for organising and facilitating Seachtain na Gaeilge this year Following its success, we will be starting a ciorcal comhrá on Thursday lunchtimes where we can have our lunch and a chat as Gaeilge, all staff and students welcome.