While the student has always been at the heart of everything we do in St Dominic’s the implementation of the new Junior Cycle Programme is bringing changes to the way the curriculum is structured.
The Framework for Junior Cycle (2015) provides for a new area of learning at junior cycle called Wellbeing. Wellbeing will cross the three years of junior cycle and build on the substantial work already taking place in schools in support of students’ wellbeing. It will include learning opportunities to enhance the physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing of students. It will enable students to build life skills and develop a strong sense of connectedness to their school and to their
community.
The Junior Cycle Wellbeing Programme began with 300 hours of timetabled engagement in 2017 and will build up to 400 hours by 2020 as the new junior cycle is implemented fully in schools (NCCA-
JUNIOR CYCLE WELLBEING GUIDELINES)
Student wellbeing is core to all programmes throughout the school. The sponsored walk at the end of September illustrates our whole school commitment to student wellbeing in a fun, healthy and active way.
Junior Cycle Wellbeing 1st Year
As part of the new curriculum a wellbeing class consisting of 3 modules over the year takes place. Each student completes an eight to ten week programme in choir, learning to learn, mindfulness and personal development. A new module “transitioning to secondary school” is being completed with every student at the start of this academic year. This programme designed by members of the team in collaboration with staff, students and the PDST includes areas such as orientation, transition, friendship, growth mind-set, homework and study and school ethos. This programme has been developed from research carried out with the student and teacher body and aims to support the student further and ease any unnecessary anxiety at this huge time of change. The wellbeing programme also encompasses CSPE, PE, SPHE, Guidance, extra-curricularand co- curricular learning.
2nd and 3rd Year
The students continue their studies in CSPE, PE, SPHE, Guidance, extra-curricularand co- curricular learning.
Transition Year Wellbeing
Transition year which aims to develop all aspects of the individual including aesthetic, creative, emotional, intellectual also has wellbeing at its core. The programme includes SPHE, PE, Team Building, Educational and Social trips, work experience, charity work and self-
evaluation etc.
Senior Level Wellbeing
Wellbeing continues at this level throughout every subject including
modules in SPHE, PE, career Guidance and religion as well as the big sister/little sister, prefect system and Graduation.