St Kevin’s, Lisnaskea has not just received an ‘Investors in Pupils’ Award but the official opening of the College’s brand-new dedicated wellbeing centre also took place on Wednesday 6th October.

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The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, Koulla Yiasouma was guest speaker at the event, with representatives from Youth Action, Action Against Mental Health, and the PSNI also in attendance.

 

Ms Yiasouma said: “As Commissioner for Children and Young People I am very pleased to have been part of both the opening of the wellbeing centre and the celebration of your ‘Investors in Pupils’ award here at St Kevin’s College. The importance of resources such as this centre cannot be underestimated, in terms of their value and contribution towards the overall wellbeing and holistic development of students’’.

 

“St Kevin’s has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing through various initiatives such as their robust wellbeing programme and participation in the ‘Investors in Pupils’ Award. I wish the college every success in future endeavours and hope that students continue to avail of the outstanding resources available to them. 

The new wellbeing centre is intended to provide a dedicated space to facilitate the numerous mental health and wellbeing programmes and activities within the college. Members of the school’s wellbeing committee outlined these initiatives and emphasised their impact and importance during the opening event.

 

Mr Kelly, Principal at St Kevin’s College added: “I speak for all the staff and students here at St Kevin’s College when I say that we are extremely excited that our wellbeing centre is now officially open. At St Kevin’s College we continually strive to foster a whole-school environment which is both nurturing and inclusive, with the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing being our top priority. This wellbeing centre will undoubtedly prove a vital resource for our students and wider school community, and I look forward to helping our staff and students to maximise the potential of this wonderful facility. It was particularly heartening to hear students speak about the impact our wellbeing initiatives have had during our opening event, and I would also like to thank the Commissioner for her support. 

 

Mrs MacDonald, Vice Principal read a letter from Mr Steven Ruse, the Investors in Pupils National Project Manager. In his congratulatory letter, Mr Ruse stated that he was particularly encouraged to note that the student school council and a pupil survey reflected that pupil opinions are listened to and addressed.

 

To mark World Mental Health Day Enda McCabe (Head Boy), Erin Wray (Head Girl) along with other students presented the Commissioner with gifts including yellow cards and flowers.