At Thomond Community College, the wellbeing of both our students and staff stands as one of our utmost priorities. We actively embed wellbeing principles within our school curriculum and extend our support through a variety of programmes. Our school is fortunate to boast a robust guidance department with three dedicated guidance counsellors, alongside a school Chaplain, ASD classrooms, a sensory room and an outstanding AEN (Additional Educational Needs) department.
We provide an array of programmes designed to assist students in coping with social anxiety and emphasize the significance of open communication for mental health support. An example of these programmes include My Growth Mindset, which caters to both junior and senior students and MindOut, tailored for senior students.
Our student support team, comprising of senior management and support personnel, assists students and ensures they receive the assistance they need to help and support them.
In our school, fostering meaningful relationships and connections is paramount, and we offer a diverse range of extracurricular activities to help bolster a sense of belonging among our students. Furthermore, we've implemented a mentorship system, where our trained senior cycle students serve as mentors for 1st-year students, fostering a supportive environment.
Additionally, we actively engaged in the One Good School programme in collaboration with Jigsaw, which focuses on promoting and supporting the mental health of young people. Our dedication to this initiative was recognized when we received a Gold Award from Jigsaw in September 2023 for our exceptional commitment to the programme's objectives.
Student voice is extremely important to us. We have established a Student Assembly, comprising representatives from each class within the school, voted by their peers, which serves as the foundation for our Student Council. These student representatives play a pivotal role in our school community, regularly engaging in discussions with management to convey student concerns and feedback.
Moreover, every class in our school is assigned a dedicated class tutor, responsible for facilitating weekly student voice classes. These sessions serve as a platform for students to strengthen their rapport with their class tutor, fostering improved communication between both students and staff.
In Thomond Community College our Green School’s Committee help us to implement eco-friendly practices, raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainability. It is not just the wellbeing of the school community that is important to us, it is also the wellbeing of the planet. We have been awarded six Green School Flags and continue to engage in practices to bring about a more sustainable future for all.
We are proud to be part of Pieta’s Amber Flag movement. This Initiative recognises the school’s efforts to create a healthy, inclusive environment and one that supports and promotes positive mental health.
Our Positive Behaviour Strategy Team is made up of staff members who collaborate to create and implement strategies and initiatives aimed at promoting positive behaviour. The team’s focus is on improving the overall school environment and fostering a safe and inclusive atmosphere for all the school community, while helping students to succeed both academically and socially. Student voice again plays an integral part in promoting and embedding the initiatives.
Our LGBTQ+ support group, “New Era”, fosters a sense of belonging and community among LGBTQ+ students and their allies. The group embraces all people and their identities and celebrates and promotes pride and a culture of inclusivity and acceptance.
Our school is home to numerous clubs and groups that have arisen directly from students expressing their needs. These initiatives have materialized through collaborative efforts between students and staff, emphasizing the value of collective action in shaping our school's vibrant extracurricular landscape.
The following links are helpful resources to further support student wellbeing:
GOSHH Ireland – Promoting equality, well-being, and sexual rights for everyone in the Mid-West of Ireland.
Visit Jigsaw.ie | The National Centre for Youth Mental Health
Childrens Grief Centre | Support Service | Bearevement | Seperation
Pieta | Preventing Suicide and Self-Harm since 2006
Rainbow Community Services