The Importance of Student Wellbeing

Here at St. Patrick’s BNS, we value the wellbeing of the whole school community. Wellbeing encompasses the domains of relationship, meaning, motivation, purpose and achievement.

There is no single accepted definition of ‘mental health’ but the following definition proposed by the World Health Organisation is frequently used in contemporary literature. Mental Health is: A state of well-being in which the individual realises his or own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her own community.

We endeavour to create a supportive and positive environment allowing the boys to flourish and thrive. We want our pupils to feel safe, secure, seen, heard and valued. Within this culture we hope they can reach their full potential.

SPHE

Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) provides particular opportunities to foster the personal development, health and wellbeing of the child and to help him create and maintain supportive relationships and become an active and responsible citizen in society. We explore the strand and strand units of the SPHE curriculum through active learning methodologies and our positive school culture and climate contributes to effective teaching and learning.

Welcome to Wellbeing and Weaving Wellbeing

Welcome to Wellbeing (for Junior Infants to 1st Class) is based on Positive Psychology, which has been called the science of well-being. This Irish designed programme can be implemented as part of the SPHE curriculum. It aims to enhance children’s wellbeing and resilience through developing specific skills including emotional intelligence and regulation, boosting positive emotions and enhancing social skills and self-confidence.

Weaving Wellbeing (2nd – 6th Class) gives children the opportunity to weave positivity into their daily lives through a range of activities in a variety of areas. These areas include identifying and using their authentic character strengths, boosting positive emotions, developing and nurturing positive relationships and connections, building practical resilience skills (including mindfulness) and developing self efficacy through empowering beliefs.

Friendship Week

Every year we take time to dedicate a week to recognising and celebrating friendship. The aim of this week is to encourage the boys to be more conscious of the importance of friendship and to promote activities and events that foster the development of positive friendships. It’s a week that the whole school community always enjoys.