I am Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan, a resilient memoirist and psychologist, who has defied poverty, addiction, and homelessness to earn a PhD from Trinity College Dublin and be an amazing academic working in in Maynooth University. My debut book, “Poor” chronicles my journey from hardship to hope.
My name is Rachel O’ Connor, I am in my 10th year as Principal of Ramsgrange Community School, situated on the Hook Peninsula in Southwest Wexford. I will begin in a new position as Deputy Director of NAPD on September 1st 2023.
Wellbeing, a buzzword of late is defined by the WHO as a “state of complete, physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease of infirmity”. Wellbeing is unique and personal yet something we are trying to contextualize to the workplace.
We all know that schools can be frenetic places to work, with teaching one of the top three most stressful occupations, therefore things that we can control such as our mindset, perspective and attitude are paramount in order to start the year on a positive note. As William Johnsen said “if it is to be, it’s up to me”.
Trying to keep calm when things are not going well in the classroom can be such a struggle. It is overwhelming to try and support students with their emotions and behaviours – as well as our own.
Susan Gavin, course author of EPV Summer Course “Supporting Students with Challenging Behaviour” has put a comprehensive course together to help us pre-empt issues and creating systems and ways of working that stop things escalating negatively.
Trina Golden – Primary Principal of a new school, Owenabue Educate Together in Carrigaline, Cork. Previously the Principal of Ennis Educate Together. Passionate about equality based education, additional needs, educational disadvantage and trauma informed approaches.
Financial well-being is very important. It means having security and freedom of choice in the future. It’s sometimes difficult to establish good financial planning habits.
Workplaces should recognise and celebrate the day in a way that best supports their own dynamic and be careful not to fall into the trap of celebrating well-being on only one day of the year to mark this day! Well-being is not and should not be a gimmick or PR stunt!
I can always be relied on to have stashes of glitter and coffee in my classroom and am usually wearing something sparkly with a cuppa in hand! Plus G C are my initials! I have been teaching for 11 years and have been a mum of one for 3 years. Both are roles I adore.