Charity Run and Cycle huge success! 

Scoil Pól Happy Feet Run/Cycle Event

Wellbeing is the buzzword around the corridors of Scoil Pól this year. It started when the sixth years came back in September and saw wellness on their timetable. Throughout the year sixth years have followed a course that challenges them to mind their mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. From this new course in Scoil Pól came a new initiative driven by the Transition Years. The Transition years called this new drive “Happy Feet” and they set about planning an event that would highlight all of their hard work. The aim of the Happy Feet initiative was to call on all students to mind themselves and to build resilience. The Transition Years started a “Sound the Alarm, help stop self harm” campaign. The walls in Scoil Pól were decorated with positive affirmations, talks around self care, appreciating life, minding oneself were organised, a couch to 5k programme was launched, a visit to UL to hear Bressie talk about his own journey was arranged, a healthy eating committee was formed, fizzy drinks and sport drinks were banned from the school shop. Healthy lunch options became available. The work has just started, much more has to be done and will be done in the coming year.

Last Saturday- 16th April saw up to 300 people arrive at Scoil Pól to participate in the Happy Feet Fun Event. The event saw up to 70 cyclists participate in a 60km cycle or a 35 km cycle. At noon up to 200 people arrived for a family- 5k- run, walk or crawl event. Children were treated to a bouncy castle, penalty shootout, face painting, a disco and a colouring corner. There was a BBQ and other refreshments available. On the day the transition years launched their BIND website- body and mind combined. On their website they have lots of tips around minding ones wellbeing and dealing with stress. The link for the website is bind.scoilpol.ie. So far €3666.04 has been raised. The money will be split equally between the Irish Cancer Society and Scoil Pól.

Much credit goes to the hard working and forward thinking Transition Years in Scoil Pól. Throughout the year they have shown great teamwork and leadership skills. Credit goes to management in Scoil Pól for giving the space to allow the Wellbeing Campaign to take off and to flourish. A huge thank you goes to all of the sponsors of last Saturday’s event. The local business people in Kilfinane, Kilmallock, Bruff and surrounding area were more than generous. Kilfinane A.C, An Brú A.C , Kilmallock Cycles, Tom Blackburn of Ballyhoura and Elaine Goggin were a huge help when planning the event.

We look forward to more work continuing in this area in the coming year! 

Here are the pics of the winners on the day. Congratulations and Well done to all! 

Presentation to Lorraine from the Irish Cancer Society...

More photos to follow shortly.....