Wellbeing
“Student wellbeing is present when students realise their abilities, take care of their physical
wellbeing, can cope with the normal stresses of life, and have a sense of purpose and
belonging to a wider community” (NCCA 2017)
Here in Ardscoil na Tríonóide, Wellbeing is very relevant to our mission statement where
“emphasis is placed on the moral and spiritual formation of students along with their
intellectual, social and physical development.”
We are very proud to be a Health Promoting School. The HPS concept is a whole school
approach to all aspects of health and wellbeing. It involves social, emotional, mental,
spiritual, cognitive and physical health. Our Health Promotion team consists of teachers,
students, parents and community organisations and incorporates a variety of themes
through sub groups such as the Active Schools Team and the Amber Flag/Cycle Against
Suicide Team. We received both our Amber Flag, for promotion of positive mental health,
and our Health Promoting Schools Flag in 2016. We are a Cycle against Suicide
Ambassador School.
We were one of the first secondary schools In Ireland to receive our Active Schools Flag
back in 2017, participating in a pilot programme which informed the national roll out of the
ASF process. Active Schools is now a part of the TY curriculum with students acting as
leaders in encouraging our school community to become ‘More Active, More Often.’
While we strive to promote Wellbeing throughout the school year, these efforts culminate
each year in our annual Wellbeing Week in May. The week provides a huge array of activities
and initiatives to promote Wellbeing among the whole school community and is one of the
highlights of the school year.
Wellbeing crosses the three years of junior cycle and builds on substantial work already
taking place in schools in support of students’ wellbeing. This area of learning makes the
school’s culture and ethos and commitment to Wellbeing visible to students. It includes
learning opportunities to enhance the physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing of
students. It enables students to build life skills and develop a strong sense of
connectedness to their school and to their community.
The Junior Cycle Wellbeing programme consists of 400 hours of timetable engagement,
incorporating the subject areas of P.E., S.P.H.E., C.S.P.E. and guidance. Our first years
participate in modular Wellbeing subjects which are vital to their transition into Ardscoil na
Tríonóide – Digital Skills, Ingredients for Life and our social skills programme (PALS), each
of which are designed and delivered by members of our teaching staff.
Wellbeing is part of our school day that we are very proud of, and is integral in the sense of
community and belonging that is present for all members of Ardscoil na Tríonóide.