Vol 25 No 24     15 May 2020

Mental Health Week 

The High School hosted a Mental Health Awareness Week between 5-8 May.  Due to the fact that our schooling is now entirely virtual, the usual activities were replaced by videos and posts on the High School Instagram and Microsoft Streams platforms. The week had the overarching theme of ‘Connect’ and each day had its own sub-theme.  We all worked really hard to make these events happen. The week started off with ‘Stay Active’ day!  Exercising is so important for your mental health, and ideally everyone should try to get out of the house at least once a day or work out at home. With this in mind Ms Van Valey, the High School yoga teacher, kindly recorded a 30-minute beginners yoga class for us to post online. We also held a talent show, which was promoted by a video of pupils showing off all their talents.  The next day was ‘Keep Learning’.  We wanted to encourage people to improve their skills so we held a Minecraft tournament and a bake-off.  On 'De-stress' day we had another great video from Ms Van Valey on Mindfulness and we posted two recipes for homemade face masks, and a list of feel-good movies and books on the school Instagram site.  Our current situation can sometimes be overwhelming so it is important that people take the time to relax and focus on themselves.  Finally, we had ‘Reach Out’ day which was focused on getting people to stay connected with their friends and family.  We held an art competition and we also got people to recreate old family photographs.  In the evening we lit candles to honour frontline workers.  The week ended by waking up at dawn to take part in ‘Darkness into Light’.  Although we couldn’t walk with others, there was still something very special about watching the sunrise on your own. We hope that everyone enjoyed the week and we are very grateful for everyone who took part.  Don’t forget that there are always people in the school who are available to talk if you are struggling.  Do not be afraid to reach out - we’re all in this together.  
Mental Health Week Team 2020 

Darkness Into Light

To conclude Mental Health Week, a number of current and past pupils as well as members of staff woke up at 5.30 am on Saturday 9 May to meet the dawn as part of the Pieta House Darkness into Light appeal. Pupils and staff members joined together in showing their solidarity with those impacted by suicide by getting up just before  dawn to watch the sunrise from their homes. They spread the message of hope by wearing a Darkness into Light T-shirt, or something 
yellow, and sharing sunrise photographs with us.  
Mr P McCaughey

Mental Health Poetry Festival

Congratulations to past pupil and poet Stephen James Smith (HSD, 1994-2000) on the success of his wonderful poetry project, Collectively Counting.  The piece was made in collaboration with director Craig Kenny with accompanying music from Gareth Quinn Redmond and Conor J. O’Brien from the Villagers.  The project is part of First Fortnight, Ireland's Mental Health Festival and is supported by the HSE as part of Connecting for Life, Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide.  We wish Stephen every success with this thought-provoking project. 

Assessment Timetable

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