The Meitheal Programme is a training programme for students at senior level in secondary schools. In this programme the students are trained to become mentors for incoming students at junior level. It is a programme based on pro-respect between students and one that enables students to take responsibility for the happiness of others and for the safety and well-being of all who share a school environment.
The programme is advertised among senior students who are invited to become Meitheal Leaders in Good Counsel College. All applicants are interviewed and a selection is then made. The students who are chosen to become Meitheal Leaders undergo a training programme in the summer prior to their return to school the following September. This training programme covers the areas of personal development, identity, self-esteem, communication skills, listening skills, assertiveness skills, group dynamics, group management and many other skills that are necessary for the students to develop if the programme is to be successful.
After their training the students return to the school as sixth years and each is given responsibility for a number of incoming first years. It is then the task of the Meitheal Leaders to ensure the smooth transition of these young people into the school and to be able and available to assist them in any way necessary during their first few days in school. After this initial work it is then expected that the Meitheal Leaders will work with the junior students, developing a relationship of trust and mutual respect. The hope for the remainder of their first year is that if the junior student should experience difficulties or anxieties of any kind that they can turn to their Meitheal Leaders and find in them understanding, respect, advice and assistance. The programme has proven to be effective in promoting the happiness of students in general as well as reducing instances of bullying, isolation and early school leaving.
For further information on the Meitheal programme see www.meitheal.org
Syl Barron, Oisín Boland, Eddie Breen, Billy Conran, Shane Cullen
Tomás Crosbie, Don Foley, David Ffrench, Bernard Furlong, Tadhg Furlong
Joe Keane, Niall Keenan, Colin Kelly, Oliver Lloyd-Sutton, Conor Mernagh
Cathal Moroney, Michael Murphy, Eoin Mythen, Jamie O’Connell, Rory O’Hanlon
Paul Rose, Thomas Rudd, Richard Ryan, David Saridakis.
(Reserves: Diarmaid Aspel and Conor Dempsey)