It’s Mission Possible for St Seachnall’s.... students lauded promoting positive mental health

Students from St Seachnall's National School, Dunshaughlin, were celebrated at the School Achievement awards ceremony for their efforts in promoting positive mental health in their schools. The awards ceremony took place on 12th February in St Patrick’s University Hospital where St Seachnall's NS was named runner up in the Primary Schools category.

The Mission Possible School Achievement Awards are held annually to showcase the meaningful work schools are undertaking to foster positive mental health and wellbeing in classrooms and communities across Ireland. The awards are run by 'Walk in My Shoes', the flagship awareness-raising and education campaign from St Patrick’s Mental Health Services.

Walk in My Shoes invited primary schools, secondary schools and Further Education Training (FET) centres (including Youthreach) to take part in Mission Possible by showcasing a mental health and wellbeing initiative on the Walk in My Shoes School Portal and to suggest an event, activity or initiative they would organise with the prize money.

Winners in each category received a €1,000 prize, a role as Walk in My Shoes School Ambassador and a specialist Walk in My Shoes School Support Package. Runners-up in each category received prize money of €500.

St Seachnall's National School was runner up in the Primary School category for their latest wellbeing and mental health initiative, the Sunflower Project. The Sunflower Project is a comprehensive programme which includes a nurture room and sensory spaces designed to create an inclusive and supportive environment that fosters the wellbeing and development of every student.

With their prize money, St Seachnall's National School plan to launch their outdoor sensory garden in 2025. This garden will enhance sensory integration, reduce stress, and boost emotional wellbeing. It will provide hands-on learning, improve motor skills, and encourage social interaction and inclusion. Additionally, it will support emotional regulation and mindfulness, promote environmental awareness, and engage the community, creating a beautiful, tranquil, and inclusive space for everyone.

The winning students were joined at the awards ceremony by the judging panel: Paul Gilligan, Chief Executive Officer at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services; Sinéad Smith, teacher in Willow Grove Adolescent Unit at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services; and Trish Harrington, Guidance Counsellor in St Patrick’s Cathedral Grammar School.

Speaking about the significance of the awards, teacher Sinéad Smith said: “I am delighted to once again be part of the judging panel for the Mission Possible School Achievement Awards and for the opportunity to see some of the incredible work being done by schools across the country. Mission Possible recognises the vital role schools play in reaching young people and fostering their social, emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing. Wellbeing and learning go hand in hand, and everyone in the school community has a role to play in supporting youth mental health and the wellbeing of all its members."