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Schools

Promoting positive mental health and a growth mindset for learning in both primary and secondary schools

Schools play a vital role in promoting positive mental health and emotional well-being for students.  Given the multifaceted pressures facing our children, we need to empower them with the tools and techniques required to effectively manage their thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

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As a Life Coach, Master Practitioner of NLP with an education in Child Psychology, I work with young people to arm them with the knowledge and techniques to:

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  • understand the causes of, and how to control BIG emotions;

  • recognise emotions and the impact they have on one's physiology and their behaviour;

  • understand the learning process, and mental inhibitors to effective learning;

  • embrace the learnings from mistakes, feedback and new challenges; 

  • build resilience and self confidence;

  • promote self-esteem, self-worth and self-love;

  • effectively handle bullies;

  • recognise and combat negative 'self-talk';

  • look at situations from an objective rather than emotional perspective, before acting;

  • help reduce anxiety, resulting in better health, well-being and behaviour; and

  • prepare for the transition to secondary school or third level. 

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​I promote a Growth Mindset in my work with children and young people both on a one to one basis and in the work I do in schools.  Having a Growth Mindset (the belief that you are in control of your own ability and can learn and improve) is key to success.  Hard work, effort and persistence are all important; however, one must first have that underlying belief that they are in control of their own destiny.  Embracing this mindset at an early age can have a profound and lasting impact.  To find out more about the impact having a Growth Mindset can have, listen to this Ted Talk by Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck who founded Growth Mindset explain the positive impact it has https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve?language=en 

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Below are an example of some of the school programmes and workshops that I deliver.  They can be delivered through group workshops, talks on specific topics, or one-to-one coaching sessions with students:

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          'Mind Out' Programme

I run the Mind Out Programme for young adults.  This evidence based programme which draws on best practice nationally and internationally is designed to address the social, emotional and mental well-being of Irish adolescents.  Once implemented, it provides young people with new skills and tools to strengthen the skills they may already possess in an effort to enhance their overall mental well-being and to mind their mental health.  It covers areas such as:

  • self-awareness

  • self-management

  • social awareness

  • relationship management and

  • responsible decision making.

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These core areas equip young people to deal with the daily challenges and the stresses of life as an adolescent growing up in Ireland.

If you are interested in introducing this programme to your secondary school, please  do get in touch.

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          'Life Skills for Kids' Workshops

My 'Life Skills for Kids' workshop is designed for primary school age children from 1st to 6th class.  This interactive programme, focuses on life skills such as:

  • building confidence, resilience and the power of persistence;

  • techniques for reducing anxiety;

  • the importance of not being afraid to make mistakes and learning from mistakes;

  • combating unhelpful self-talk;

  • setting and achieving goals;

  • understanding criticism v's feedback;

  • promoting self-love;

  • developing a Growth Mindset;

  • the power of the word YET;

and much much more...

Review from Teacher:

"I think the content was fantastic and would love to see it rolled out as part of a school programme (or after school)."

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          Kindness and Friendship Workshops

My Kindness and Friendship workshops are delivered with coaching and positive psychology techniques that engage the children and young adults to realise the impact kindness has on others and more importantly on themselves.  They are interactive and engaging and allow the children to think about what they would do in different circumstances.

They look at the impact bullying has and some reasons why people bully.  The children come away with a morning and evening routine to inspire kindness throughout the day.

Review from Principal Mrs. Mc Keever, CBS:

"It was a great pleasure to have Sharon Fennelly, Children's Life and Growth Mindset Coach in CBS Primary School. 

Sharon came in during our Friendship and Kindness Month to do workshops with all the children.

The children really enjoyed their time with Sharon, and they came away with lots of ideas and strategies about different ways they can show kindness to others and what qualities we need to be a good friend.

The older children also did some activities about bullying and the negative impact that bullying can have on those being bullied but also on the bully themselves.  We are working really hard now to "Fill Buckets" every day.

All in all it was a very inspiring day for the children and staff alike and we look forward to welcoming Sharon back to CBS again in the Future."

     

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          'The Power of Words' Workshop

We have all been lead to believe that sticks and stones won't hut my bones - however, we know infact that they do hurt.  I work with groups of students from primary to secondary school to educate them on the power that their words have so that they can make conscious choices in how they interact with their peers.

Review from Bush Post Primary School:

"Life Coach and Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming, Sharon Fennelly gave workshops on ‘The Power of Words’ to our 2nd Year students in October 2019.  Her enthusiasm for the topic was contagious. Students were engaged and focused leaving with a toolkit of skills and an awareness of how powerful what we say to others and what is said to us can be.  Parents attended a talk that evening on the same topic.  Parent feedback was very positive as their awareness and skills were increased.  Sharon focused on how parents can build confidence and resilience among children.  Working with Sharon was a pleasure.  She is crystal clear in her delivery and works alongside schools to facilitate ease and comfort in organisation."

Olivia Cosgrove Bush Post Primary School, Riverstown, Co. Louth

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If you are a principal or teacher, and are interested in the work that I do, please contact me for more information on how I can empower the students in your school.  If you are a parent, and would like me to work in your child’s school, feel free to share my contact details, as I would be delighted to talk to them.

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Teacher Workshops/Talks:

I deliver talks and workshops for teachers ​promoting positive mental health for both teachers and students, and promoting a growth mindset towards learning in the classroom.  These talks and workshops can be tailored to meet the specific needs, and learning objectives of the schools.​  Please contact me for more information.

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Parent Association Workshops/Talks:

If you think your school's Parents Association would be interested in inviting me to present, or to deliver a workshop/talk on these topics please contact me for more information.

Review from a Parent:

"Recently spent an hour listening to Sharon at my daughters school , I found Sharon very down to earth and approachable.

Sharon gave great practical advice and helpful tips and for guiding children through life today.  I would definitely recommend one of her workshops, Adults would learn a lot too about themselves."

Schools: About Me
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