Looking after mental health at St Benildus

Oct 24

Among the many activities at St Benildus College in Dublin, staff and students have been taking steps to care for their mental health this month.

Healthy Mind Week took place from Monday 14th to Friday 18th of October and encouraged students and staff to look after their mental health through mindfulness practices. Students were treated to mindfulness walks, colouring classes, board games classes and movie classes. Staff enjoyed Fruit Fridays, a staff raffle and a coffee van visit. We all got a chance to take a little break during such a busy term.

First year student update

The first year students have settled in well into their option and language classes, along with all their other new activities. In woodwork, the students have created their first piece, a wooden boat. They are also thriving on the sporting field, with the first year soccer players winning their first cup match 5-4 on penalties and first year rugby friendlies against Wilsons Hospital and Sandford giving the players an opportunity to try out a new sport. First years now will start their Lasallian retreats to get to know the ethos of the school and the join the Lasallian way of life.

Transition Year

Transition year students have been enjoy trips so far to Mountjoy Jail and the Criminal Courts. They also have been participating in modules with outside presenters in Mental Fitness, Sustainability, Chinese and more. At this point of the year, many students have signed up to become junior coaches for sports teams and have become a very helpful year group in helping with themed weeks, such as Healthy Mind Week, and activities such as our Active Flag Congress day.

6th Year Camino Trip

For four days, 50 sixth year students and their teachers walked 100km of the Camino de Santiago, from Portamarin to the city of Santiago de Compostela. Stamps were collected at each stop and students slept in dorms all together, wrecked from the day’s walking. A wonderful time was had by all, and while students improved their Spanish, the bonding experience with each other and their teachers definitely made the trip worthwhile.

Other events from this term so far:

· The Big Dig Archaeology activities with first years

· 6th Year King Lear theatre trip

· TY Inspire Poetry Workshops

· 5th Year History trip to the National Library

We are looking forward to:

· Run for Life 2024 – our big charity event of the year

· 6th Year Chemistry Trip to Berlin

· Stand Up Week

· Science Week

· Culture Week

· College Awareness Week