Wellbeing at Killorglin Community College

Samantha Nagle

This year’s wellbeing efforts are a combined effort of our Killorglin Community College Wellbeing Committee, especially two of our outstanding 6thyear students, Federica and Thomas, and the two TY groups as part of their YSI programme.

Our Student Wellbeing Committee, Beyond the Desk, have run various initiatives throughout the year, including a European Food Festival, Halloween Fancy Dress Day, an 8-weeklong introduction to Film Club and a Talent Show, among others.

We have two TY Young Social Innovator projects that are centred on wellbeing.

Firstly, we have the Local Hobby Lobby. These students encourage people to take up new hobbies to increase social interaction and improve overall mental health. Over the course of this year, they have run many lunchtime activities, including penalty shoot outs, quizzes, bingo games and a basketball knockout competition. They also ran a hugely successful World Cup class follow-along competition.

During the KCC Christmas event, they organised and facilitated team building for 2nd years and arts and crafts for 1st Years. In contrast, the other YSI team, named “Bridging the Generations”, ran a Spikeball tournament for 3rd years.

A whole school Wellbeing Week from February 20th to 24th. They are bringing in exciting workshops such as pottery, drum dance and yoga. They have liaised with staff to organise a mural walk, Zumba classes and more.

Our YSI group, Bridging the Generations, looks at mentorship and mens’ mental health. They have organised workshops on how to navigate conflict as well as nutrition and fitness. Inspired by the Men’s Sheds, our students recognise the value of building intergenerational connections. In anticipation of our school’s 40th anniversary, they have decided to begin an intergenerational project in which they reach out to our local community for the stories behind our archived photos.

Keep an eye on our Instagram for the launch of this ambitious project!