School Chaplain

 

Chaplaincy Services offered in Rosmini Community School
A Listening Support Service

The Chaplaincy service in Rosmini is student-based. It follows through to home and family life regarding matters such as illness, bereavement and loss. Students are offered a safe, supportive and confidential space to share their problems. This service is empathetic and non-judgemental.

Catering for the Pastoral Needs of all Students

Students are offered practical advice to cope with stress and anxiety. The Chaplain works closely with students to help increase their confidence and build their self-esteem. Students are taught skills to help them reduce their anxiety levels, cope better with negative thoughts and feelings, respond to anger in a healthier manner, and dedicate more time to self-care.

Encouraging Students to Care for their Wellbeing

Positive Wellbeing Initiatives

The mental, emotional and physical health of every student is of the utmost importance to use here in Rosmini. The Chaplain plays an important role in planning, organising and implementing an annual programme of events in the school that promote and enhance student welfare. Students participate in workshops, talks and events that encourage them to use skills such as self-care, open communication, regular exercise, healthy eating, caring for others and creative forms of self-expression, which are all required to sustain positive mental health.

Rosmini Wellbeing Week 2018 Schedule – You Gotta Flourish to Nourish

We have provided details of the line-up of last year’s Wellbeing Week to give you a snapshot into the work of the Chaplain in promoting positive mental health in Rosmini.

Monday 5th November 2018 – Be Resilient

(Linked with SPHE, RSE, Guidance & Religion)

Creatively Coping with Stress Workshop – 3rd Year

Explore the holistic benefits of creatively managing stress. A highly interactive and stimulating class for those seeking to manage stress and anxiety levels.

Reducing Stress & Anxiety Workshop – 5th Year

Do you suffer from anxiety? Has your physical, emotional and mental health been compromised by the stress you have been under? If so, then this is the workshop for you. Explore the effects of anxiety of the body and learn new mindful skills to help you become stress and anxiety free. This event will include a Reduce Your Worries guided meditation.

 

Self-Care Workshop: The Key to a Successful Leaving Cert – 6th Year

In this workshop, our Leaving Cert students will learn practical strategies to help them care for their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing in a busy and demanding exam year. The focus will be on learning how to balance one’s time more effectively so that the students’ energy levels are sustained for homework, study and preparation for the summer exams. Students will become more aware of the supports that are available to them if they are feeling overwhelmed by the expectations of school. They will develop personal care plans to actively practice self-care.

Tuesday 6th November 2018 – Be Active & Be Responsible

(Linked with CSPE, PE, SPHE, RSE, Guidance & Religion)

Health and Nutrition Workshop – 2nd Year and 3rd Year

‘The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison’.  – Ann Wigmore.
Students learn about healthy eating and nutrition.
We will explore the physical, mental and emotional benefits of certain foods and eating habits that can be realistically maintained by students.

 

Lunchtime Dancercise Class – All Students

All students will be given the opportunity to exercise through dance. This initiative will promote exercise as something that can be enjoyable and fun.
The benefits of this practice include….
It’s a full-body workout

  • You burn calories and fat
  • You build endurance
  • You improve your cardiovascular fitness
  • Reduces high blood pressure
  • It’s a workout you can do regardless of fitness level
  • It’s social and fun
  • You can improve your quality of life

 

Walk a Mile with a Smile – 1st Year and Transition Year

Physical exercise is one of the essential ingredients to positive mental health. Our 1st year and Transition year students will be paired up as buddies. They will be set the challenge of walking a mile together under the supervision of their teachers. Bright jackets will be worn for visibility and safety out in a busy local area. 1st and TY students will be invited to spend their walk getting to know each other more. They will be given a list of conversation starters to help them get started. At the end of the walk, each pair will get up on front of the entire group and give a short introduction to their walking buddy. The purpose of this activity is to promote physical exercise amongst students and to encourage them to put down the game console and get active with their friends.

 

Wednesday 7th November 2018 – Be Connected & Be Respected

(Linked with CSPE, SPHE, RSE, Guidance & Religion)

Morning Meet and Greets with the Ember Team – All Students

The role of the Ember team is to provide leadership and support to all students in the school. As part of Wellbeing Week 2018, the Embers will be gathered at the entrance of the school. They will greet every student as they make their way into school and offer them a pack, which will include an inspiring message and a heart-shaped lollipop. The Ember team will offer their peers a warm and friendly welcome to school. The aim of this task is to help students feel valued and appreciated by their fellow students.

 

A Coffee Morning and Concert for the Residents of Nazareth House – Choir

Last year’s Transition Year students formed an Intergenerational Choir with the lovely residents of Nazareth House. Their efforts helped to secure first prize in DCU’s Intergenerational Awards 2017-2018. To continue the tradition of community outreach, the school choir will prepare a special concert for the residents of Nazareth House. They will ensure that these songs contain old favourites that the residents can sing along to. Tea, coffee and cakes will be served afterwards. The purpose of this event is to give our students the opportunity to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of others in the wider community.

 

Thursday 8th November 2018 – Be Aware

(Linked with SPHE, RSE and RE)

 

Improve our Wellbeing Workshop – 3rd Year

As part of this event, students will become more are of their thoughts, feelings and behaviours. They will learn that it is our response that determines how well we are able to overcome difficult circumstances. The focus of this workshop will be on developing an awareness of stress and becoming more aware of preventative strategies and coping mechanisms to reduce stress levels. Students will engage in a series of mindfulness exercises to help reduce stress levels and to increase relaxation, self-esteem, confidence and resilience.

 

Loving Kindness Mindfulness Mediation – 5th Year

Learn how a mindfulness practice can help you to practice self-compassion more in your life. During this class, we will learn how to nourish our gifts and talents so that we are more appreciative of what we bring to the lives of others.

 

Friday 9th November 2018 – Be Aware of How to Protect Yourself

Protecting Yourself – 1st, 2nd and 3rd Years

Every student in Rosmini will participate in a workshop on Child Protection. Junior Cycle students will be the first to engage with this training. They will learn about the rights of the child and be able to identify & describe the types of abuse that undermine these rights. Students will also be familiar with the procedures that are in place in school when reporting a child protection issue. They will look at the policy on confidentiality and referral to safeguard the rights of the child.

Laughternoon – 1st, 2nd and Transition Years

The drama club will showcase a series of stand-up comedic performances. There will be a mixture of song, dance and one-man/woman acts. We hope that this event will bring fun and enjoyment to our audience. Students will learn that it is important not to take life too seriously and that are lots of health mediums to express their thoughts and feelings.

 

Opportunities for Prayer and Reflection

School life can be busy at times. It is important for students to take time out of study and reflect on the moments that matter most in their lives. The Chaplain is responsible for organising prayer services, school retreats, pilgrimages and assembles for students in Rosmini.

Some of the events on offer that cater for the religious and spiritual needs of students include:

– Shine Your Light and Let the Whole World See: Prayer Service of Welcome for 1st Years

– In November We Remember: Memorial Service for Loved Ones who have Passed

– Giving the Gift of Ourselves: Christmas Carol Service

– Never Give Up: Mock Exam Class Prayer Service

– Making a Positive Change: Ash Wednesday prayers and distribution of ashes

– Our Lenten Journey: TY Pilgrim Walk in the Botanical Gardens

– A Time for Reflection: 6th Year Retreat

– Treasure the Memories: Graduation Services

 

Celebrating Diversity 

Rosmini is an open and inclusive school. This means that the faith and beliefs that reflect the culture of our diverse student body are both welcomed and respected in our school. Our community is also open to those questioning or searching on their faith journey. All faiths and none are fully embraced and respected in school life.

 

The Work of Social Justice

In Rosmini, we aim to raise awareness of issues of social justice affecting the lives of human beings in the world today. Students take part in talks, workshops and events that encourage them to act as ambassadors of justice and peace.

Some of the initiatives that students have been involved over the past year include:

– Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal

– Saint Vincent de Paul Food Appeal

– Young Saint Vincent de Paul Social Justice Programme

– Fundraising for Sunshine House

– Wellbeing Fundraiser for Pieta House

– Befriending Project: Intergenerational Choir and Concerts in Nazareth House

Support Guides for Minding Our Mental Health during the Coronavirus School Closure

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