Student wellness the focus of talks held at Cork education centre

Munster Technological University (MTU) highlighted innovative, practical approaches to wellbeing in post-primary education at a showcase for the European Union-funded EuLabRPG project, which was held recently at the Cork Education Support Centre (CESC).

The event was co-ordinated by Emer Thompson and Kristin Brogan, from MTU Kerry’s Department of Social Sciences.

Bringing together post-primary teachers, school leaders, and education professionals, the event, entitled ‘Thriving Together’, included presentations on student and staff wellbeing.

Donal O’Mahony, deputy principal at Christian Brothers College, delivered a presentation on staff wellbeing and positive school cultures.

PRACTICAL STRATEGIES

Guidance counsellor Marianne Landers delivered a talk outlining practical strategies to support student wellbeing, resilience, and independent learning.

The final session, delivered by Ms Thompson and Ms Brogan, explored the use of role-playing games as tools to support empathy development, student engagement, and social/emotional learning.

Participants were also introduced to the EuLabRPG toolkit and project materials website and were encouraged to pilot the RPG in their own schools.

Edmond Hussey, director of the Cork Education Support Centre, said that the event saw innovative ideas for student wellbeing and engagement take centre stage.

He thanked Ms Thompson and Ms Brogan for their inspiring presentation on role-playing games and said that their work highlights how creativity and collaboration can transform learning experiences.

The event also examined the potential application of the project’s approach within the primary school sector.

Ms Thompson and Ms Brogan are to engage with Léargas, Ireland’s national agency for Erasmus+, to seek guidance on the potential next steps.

For further information on the EuLabRPG project, visit https://eulabrpg.eu/en/