MCS celebrated a ‘Spring into Spring’ themed Wellbeing Week from March 4^th-7^th. An array of activities and events were held throughout the week, with the aim of promoting a positive wellbeing message for the school and community. Students were encouraged to wear their comfortable P.E uniform during the week, and they enjoyed a home-work free weekend. The jam-packed timetable of events included:

• A ‘Steps Challenge’ fitness competition for staff & students
• Morning ‘feel good’ music and meditation exercises for all staff & students.
• HumourFit Drama Performances on anti-bullying, road safety & substance abuse.
• Speakers from Esker House Athlone, Humourfit, HSE SATU Mullingar, The Marie Keating Foundation & as featured on various RTE media platforms, the inspiring Jack Kavanagh promoted resilience amongst the 6^th year students.
• An Garda Siochana and the Midland Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force provided student & parent information talks on the areas of substance abuse and safe road use.

At lunchtimes extra well-being activities were available for staff & students:

• Silent Disco event
• TUSLA Meitheal Pop-Up event for students
• Make-up demonstrations
• Sports Activities in the school gym
• Sound Engineering Workshops
• music session
• Meditation classes
• Complimentary healthy protein foods provided by the Home Economics Department
• Marie Keating Foundation staff cancer awareness workshop

To kick start the week, a seminar entitled ‘Be Healthy Be Happy’ took place for junior students. The Foroige based workshop was facilitated by MCS past pupil, Gary Nugent. Gary specialises in the area of mental health and teens. One of Gary’s key aims is to ensure that everyone has a responsible adult that they can talk to and report any arising issues. This talk opened the students minds and made them more aware of how important positive mental health is. As well as this, Sarah Jayne and Niamh from Esker House in Athlone conducted sessions with small groups of Transition Year students throughout the day. Pupils were provided with details to be aware of regarding building healthy relationships and were reminded of the importance of consent in all relationships. Thanks to Esker House for taking time out of their very busy schedule so as to promote these valuable life skills for our students.

On day two of Wellbeing Week, Michael O’Sullivan (Humourfit) performed a series of plays for a selection of year groups. The performances consisted of anti-bullying, alcohol abuse and road safety related themes. Characters were brought to life to raise awareness of these real-life situations using a realistic but humorous approach in order to encourage young people to reflect on these crucial, real-life issues.

Ms.Nessa Gill from the local HSE SATU addressed the senior students at Tuar Ard Theatre regarding positive sexual health, and the features of keeping one another safe while socialising. Pupils were informed of services and tips regarding where to go and what to do in case of an emergency. Thank you to all working in Mullingar SATU for sharing such valuable information for our students.

Nurse Jane Garland from the Marie Keating Foundation delivered an informative workshop to two year groups on skin cancer awareness and the dangers of e-cigarette consumption. Jane emphasised some of the key risks and symptoms relating to these unfortunately very common cancer types and provided her audience with information to take home. Students were given the opportunity to engage and ask questions at the end of the seminar.

As part of their wellbeing involvement, MCS 6^th year exam students were treated to a special visit from Mr. Jack Kavanagh who has previously appeared on several RTE media platforms. Jack shared his story about a life-changing accident which left him paralysed at the age of twenty. Jack’s message however is one brimming with positivity and resilience, a message aimed to motivate a busy 6^th year group ahead of leaving school this year. Jack’s infectious positive mental health attitude stirred the senior students into feeling grateful and determined to do their best regardless of various hurdles along the way.

The week concluded with a Parent Information Evening provided by An Garda Siochana. Sgt. Damian Connaughton (Athlone), Martina Dunne (Midland Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force), and Sgt. Neil O’ Connor (Moate), informed the congregation of the dangers and available supports regarding young people and substance abuse. Sincere thanks also to Garda Kevin Mooney and Sgt. Cormac Moylan for conducting a senior student workshop regarding the importance of road safety and the dos and don’ts to consider when a pedestrian or driver.

Thank you to all the school staff and departments, as well as the organisations and businesses who made MCS Wellbeing Week 2024 a big success. Throughout the week, each representative has helped to connect in a positive and meaningful way with the school body, helping us to ‘Spring into Spring’ with a healthy mindset.