Merlin College School Wellbeing
At Colaiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College mental health awareness has always been a central aspect of our school community. In September 2019 students attended the Cycle Against Suicide school program training to take part in a year long project focusing on mental health awareness and promotion.
A committee of students known as The Positive Mental Attitude Team was established. The team were eager and excited to get to work and made themselves known to the student body through presentations outlining their ideas, attending assemblies and the Wellbeing Wall brimming with their thoughts and ideas. Here are just some of the highlights of all they accomplished.
Stand Up Week was celebrated when an LGTBQ+ workshop was held for senior students as well as a coffee morning with wonderful colorful treats and a positive messages activity encouraging acceptance, differences and kindness.
During this term the team wrote and performed a play on coping with stress as an adolescent which they delivered to fifth year classes.
In December the PMA created a beautifully simplistic Advent Random Acts of Kindness calendar.
On Valentines Day the PMA Team boys celebrated the wonderful ladies of Merlin College by going class to class and door to deliver flowers to us all.
Wellbeing Week and beyond
Wellbeing Week was hugely successful. Each day commenced with a positive quote or affirmation being shared on the school’s intercom. On Monday first year students created beautiful Wellbeing bracelets and shared them with their friends and classmates. Tuesday saw staff recognized with surprise treats delivered by the PMA team. Wednesday was a fun filled day as the team went door to door with their delicious smoothies and held a Squat for a Shot competition. Thursday saw senior students engage with team building and fitness activities throughout the day. The week was rounded off with an internet and social media safety workshop for students, teachers and parents.
There were many more activities and events to come, however like everyone the world over our plans were put on hold due to Covid19. The team adapted to our new normal and kept their initiative alive by reaching out to students with activities such as the Easter Wellbeing Challenge as well as embracing Cycle Against Suicide’s Buddy Up and Make the Call. Through engaging with such activities the team continued to emphasize the importance of mental health awareness during a challenging and very uncertain time.
The school year came to an end with the wonderful news that Merlin College had won Best Program Activity in Saint Patrick’s Mission Possible Competition. To say that we were thrilled and honored is an understatement. Seeing the work of the PMA team recognized at this level was truly special. Our thanks to Amanda and all the team at Saint Patrick’s for this amazing acknowledgement.