“Wellbeing is present when a person realises their potential, is resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their life, takes care of their physical wellbeing and has a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to a wider community. It is a fluid way of being and needs nurturing throughout life.” World Health Organisation (WHO), 2001

Clonaslee College recognises that each student in our school is unique and has different gifts and talents as well as different needs. We recognise that a student’s development is closely linked to self-confidence. We strive to offer a JC and SC curriculum which changes each year to meet the needs of each year group. Taking into account student voice allows students to realise their full potential. The promotion of wellbeing in our school community is central to us achieving excellence.

Our students are encouraged to develop their life-skills and competences, improve their physical wellbeing, develop their own resilience to manage the normal stresses of life and recognise the value of belonging to our school and wider community. Through the development of their personal wellbeing, students will become active citizens and lifelong learners that can achieve excellence now and in the future.

Clonaslee College takes a whole-school inclusive approach to the implementation of wellbeing in our school community. This involves building and integrating School Self-Evaluation processes, developing the whole-school guidance plan, adopting the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) continuum of support, and building effective inter-agency relationships. At Clonaslee College we strongly prioritise and highlight wellbeing within our school community. This is reflected strongly in our curricular provision: Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) and Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) curricula as well as, Physical Education (PE) and Wellbeing classes in consultation with the student body.

In September 2024 Clonaslee College participated voluntarily in a Well-being pilot project inspection by the DES (Department of Education & Science). The feedback from this inspection was extremely positive.

CLICK here to access: Wellbeing report September 2024.

To promote Wellbeing:

• The school has been awarded the Amber flag. The school community has successfully promoted well-being in a healthy environment. A variety of events and activities linked in with the local community take place annually, fun runs, coffee mornings, etc.
• students and parents review the Code of Behaviour annually in consultation with senior management and it is updated and ratified accordingly
• 6th year student teacher meetings take place annually after the Mock exams to provide formative and verbal feedback to each student individually. This encourages student ownership of their learning.
• zero tolerance approach to bullying
• student teachers relationships are mutually respectful, trusting and co-operative
• themed weeks take place on an annual basis, i.e. friendship week that promote inclusion and positive relationships, educating students on how to recognise and tackle bullying
• guest speakers invited in each year, community Gardaí, representatives from Jigsaw, solicitor, etc. to educate students on Coco’s law, gambling, drugs, etc.
• Physical health and wellbeing of students is promoted, nurtured and fostered though a wide variety of GAA sports and athletics. Non-extracurricular clubs were set up on a voluntary basis by staff at lunchtimes including podcasting, film production, music, Lego robotics, chess, public speaking, etc. Clubs and physical activities supports integration of new students into the school and helps develop friendships.
• 1st year students not allowed down town at lunchtime to encourage engagement with lunchtime clubs
• significant efforts through establishment of EAL department, relevant training of staff in this area to support the needs of students under international protection and help ease their integration into a new school community
• Co-teaching and team teaching has been deployed to support students on the needs identified in educational passports, entrance tests, and diagnostic testing. Additional collaborative and planning time being given to all staff.
• On site guidance counsellor offering support/guidance to all students on an ‘open door’ policy referral system.
• reach plus induction programme on guidance introduced for all 1st years
• Use of non-verbal signage for classroom instructions to support language acquisition will be extended from EAL to all classrooms.
• Zero tolerance of mobile phone use by students, not permitted at all.
• Student voice and leadership will continue to be promoted through prefects, head by & head girl, student council, focus groups and Cairde TY mentoring group.

Aim for this year to improve parental engagement:

• Coffee morning: TY’s will host a Friday morning before midterm break & invite all 1st year parents in.
• SSE team will survey parents to see what they need to help support their students.