SYNERGY SUPPORTING MEITHEAL AT LORETO SECONDARY
For the last four years, Synergy Credit Union has helped to sponsor the costs of the Meitheal programme in Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy.
A leadership and mentoring programme, senior students receive training from Scala in Blackrock along with other schools in Cork. Students then bring back the skills and knowledge they have acquired to help first-year students settle into secondary school.
Each year, the ten students who take part in the programme, help support a mentoring programme for first years as they settle into secondary school and provide ongoing support during their transition to secondary education.
Senior students provide a variety of fun activities for first years designed to keep them engaged, safe and happy and organise various class- based activities to foster friendship and teamwork amongst the new students.
"This year's monthly events were conducted in class groups," explained the coordinator of the Meitheal Programme in Loreto, Sinead Healy.
"The first years enjoyed a movie day, a table quiz, numerous meet & greet sessions and a ceilí in March. All activities were organised and supported by the Meitheal leaders. The Meitheal leaders held a cake sale in April in order to help fund their training in Scala. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the various activities that the Meitheal leaders organised," she added.
"The Meitheal programme has been a great success in the school since its establishment 4 years ago. We have been extremely lucky to continue to receive sponsorship from Synergy Credit Union to fund our Meitheal programme," Ms Healy noted.
SHAPING MORAL LEADERS
The Meitheal youth leadership programme, which has been running since 1992 organised by Scala, allows students in secondary schools to go through a four-day intensive training if their school is involved.
The students learn to identify needs in their school and to use their own initiative and talents to respond in a practical way. It trains young people to be moral leaders who champion justice, compassion and humility. Meitheal gives young people an opportunity to grow in awareness of themselves and in the needs of others. It is about young people doing their best, caring for each other and growing in confidence.