TRANSITION Year students at Killarney Community College enthusiastically participated in a very beneficial Mindful Teens workshop on Tuesday 11th September 2018, with psychotherapist Harriet McGuigan who taught them new ways to support themselves to help keep some balance in their lives.
She said some teenagers can be distracted by substance misuse, cyber bullying, online pornography, online gambling or self-harm and, more often than not, it is because they are trying to cope in their world and manage their lives.
Inspired by the quote ‘When we know better we can do better’ by Maya Angelou, Harriet created and runs the Mindful Teens programme to inspire and plant a seed in the teenagers she comes into contact with.
During the day they listened and often related to Harriet’s story, working in small groups, and they got to practice and try out the art of different meditations. The group then chatted about the challenges the face and what they enjoyed about taking some time out in a more supportive way.
“A lot of the teens opened up pretty quickly, sharing their concerns and challenges as teenagers growing up in Kerry,” said Harriet.
Topics discussed included support in relation to safe use of social media, maintaining relationships and how to manage anxiety.
Community College Transition Year co-ordinator, Kerri McCarthy, remarked: “It was a great start to our TY school term to introduce mindfulness to our students. It equips them with strategies to deal with stressful situations”.
She added: “Nowadays students lead such busy lives and sometimes they nearly forget to breathe so by taking the time to meditate proved very worthwhile for them”. Ref; Killarneytoday.com
Thursday night 17th May was a star-studded occasion in Killarney Community College. Teachers, students, parents and distinguished guests assembled for the annual awards ceremony to honour and recognise students in the college. The awards night at Killarney Community College has now become an annual tradition in the college and it gives the whole school community an opportunity to reflect on some of the achievements of the students. Awards were presented across a range of categories: academia, technology, culture, leadership, ethos, sports and extra-curricular activities amongst others. It is always a great evening and an opportunity to honour those who have excelled.
On the night, there was an array of special guests including Mark Murphy, the co-founder of the Apprentice Chef Programme. Charlie McCarthy who is a past pupil from Killarney Community College was the special guest presenter on the night. Charlie McCarthy is a Chartered Engineer and is currently a Director of Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd. and in this capacity he is responsible for the Innovation and Design of all products produced in Killarney along with joint responsibility for the management of the company. He gave a wonderful heartfelt speech to the assembled engaged audience and provided food for thought to the award recipients with his tips for life after school.
Colm McEvoy who is the CEO at Kerry ETB praised the college on its work ethic and complimented all involved on the high standard of work. KCC is under the governing body of Kerry Education and Training Board which is co-educational and multi-belief in ethos. On presenting the Awards, the Acting School Principal Stella Loughnane commended all award recipients and the wonderful teamwork of the teachers and staff for the awards night.
Robyn Sheehan was voted by the teachers as the student of the year as during her 6 years in the school, she has endeared herself to everyone through her commitment, pleasant disposition, work ethos and involvement with all areas of school life.
The prestigious Principal’s Award went to Grace O’ Sullivan for her overall contribution to the school. Grace has lead the way academically demonstrating that dedication, hard work and a sense of purpose is a lifelong skill that can achieve so much.
Kate Stack received the Senior Sports Awards as recognition of her outstanding contribution to sport in the college and in her respective clubs. Caoimhe Crowley and Martha Fitzgerald won an award in the Junior Sports category in recognition of their sporting prowess.
Monika Cepulyte won the Arts Awards, while Ciaran Quigley and Breda Kelliher received the Senior Music Award. The Design and Technology award was presented to Lucas O’ Donoghue. All students were credited for their incredible talents in these areas.
The Endeavour award went to a worthy recipient, Amy Flynn and Contribution to the life of the school Award was presented to Karen O’ Donoghue. David Murrell Musgrave was presented with the award for Living the Ethos. David has been constantly involved in promoting the school ethos of “Respect, Responsibility and Inclusion” throughout his years studying in the college.
Awards were presented to last year’s Best Junior and Leaving Certificate Exam. Students. Sarah O’ Riordan Clifford received best Leaving Certificate, Best Junior Certificate went to Karen O’ Donoghue and Leaving Certificate Applied to Shane Courtney
There was special recognition given to students involved in the pantomime, Rapunzel who put on an outstanding performance last December. Natalia Leane in Transition Year who recently won the All- Ireland Apprentice Chef 2018, was recognised and awarded by the college for her outstanding performance. The night was a great success with entertainment being provided by various musical acts, including the staff choir, under the direction of music teacher Ms Joanna Hughes and Siobhan O’ Brien.
Acting Principal Stella Loughnane concluded the night with a sincere speech when she spoke about the college being part of a larger learning organisation, Kerry ETB that seeks to promote and celebrate leadership and empowers endeavour. She referenced Steve Jobs from Apple who celebrated and promoted all talents. Technicians and engineers were fundamental to their organisation but so were poets, musicians and artists. All talents just like tonight in the college, were acknowledged, celebrated and given room to be influencers. Tonight Killarney community College we acknowledge and celebrate our influencers for tomorrow. A wonderful sense of occasion was felt in Killarney Community College on this most important night for all involved.
