School Wellness

Considering the findings of the Research Study on Mindfulness in Schools on: 
"What are the benefits of incorporating creative mindfulness into the classroom?"  (Bostic, Nevarez, Potter, Prince, Benningfield & Agiurre, 2015), 
the “I AM” programme is tailored to enable students explore ways to:

  • Calm & focus the mind
  • Improve grades
  • Manage effective self-regulation
  • Better attention & behaviour in school
  • Greater empathy
  • Improve social skills
  • Reduce anxiety
  • Increase positive stress management 
  • Improve level of absenteeism
  • Lower rates/severity of depression
  • Find inner peace, harmony & balance
  • Improve mental, emotional, physical & spiritual resilience

What do we offer to Primary & Secondary Schools?

  • Art Therapy sessions
  • “I AM” Wellbeing Children/Adolescent Courses 
  • CPD/EPV – Face to Face & Online Courses
  • Croke Park Hours

Art Therapy in Schools

Art Psychotherapist - Nikki Roberts, offers a confidential space for children and adolescents to articulate their thoughts, feelings and emotions. Sometimes they may have difficulty in expressing themselves verbally. Through the use of various creative processes, Nikki provides a calm, caring and supportive environment in which the child feels safe, considered and heard in a non-judgemental setting.
  • Individual Student Sessions:
    35 min session
    Minimum of 4 students per day - €200
  • Group Student Sessions:
    40 – 60 min session
    Maximum of 5 students per session - €180
  • Mixed Option Offering:
    40 – 60 min session
    1 Group Student Session Maximum of 5 students per session -
    Plus 2 individual student sessions 35 min session €250

“I AM” Wellbeing Children/Adolescent Courses

Art Psychotherapist - Nikki Roberts will deliver daily and / or weekly sessions with the children/adolescents in their usual classroom settings (learning outdoors is proposed whenever possible depending on the weather conditions and school facilities available)
Through experiential learning and individual/group guidance, the children will be introduced to techniques and strategies for self-regulation, processing and self-soothing. The course aims to improve resilience and self-empowerment as they become more aware of their own psychic space. This in turns leads to further cognizance towards the impact of their words and behaviour. As this awareness and by default, their accountability, becomes integrated into their everyday lives, it is hoped to have a positive effect on their family, peers, friends, local and wider community.
Children Adolescent courses

Full days can either be with a single class or with different classes or year groups. Sessions can be extended to 6 weeks if required.

  • Primary Schools:
    30 min session

    Group Session 4 weeks

  • Secondary Schools Junior Cycle :
    40 min session

    Group Session 4 Weeks

  • Secondary Schools Senior Cycle :
    45 min session

    Group Session 4 Weeks

  • 4 weeks :
    1 hour session
    €750
  • Single:
    Full Day
    €350
  • 3 weeks:
    Full Day
    €875
  • 4 weeks :
    Full Day
    €1250

Schools

Peer Review

  • Scoil Realt na Mara, Cromane National School
  • Caherdaniel National School, Caherdaniel
  • Filemore NS, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry
  • Our Lady’s Immaculate Junior School, Dublin
  • Our Lady’s Immaculate Senior School, Dublin
  • St. Brigid’s National School, Co. Kildare
  • St. Michael’s House Special National School, Dublin
  • St. Michael’s House Grosvenor School, Dublin
  • ISK Intermediate School, Killorglin 
  • St. Brigid’s Junior School, Tallaght, Dublin
  • St. Bridgid’s Senior School, Tallaght, Dublin
  • CBS James’ Street, St. James’ Gate, Dublin
  • Community College Killorglin, Co. Kerry
  • Clogher NS Ballymacelligot, Co. Kerry
  • Murhur National School, Moyvane 
  • St. Brendan’s National School, Blennerville
  • Curaheen National School, Glenbeigh
  • Caherciveen National School, O’Connell St.
  • Kilcummin National School, Killarney
  • St. Olivers National School, Killarney
  • Killahan National School, Abbeydorney
  • Nagle Rice National School, Milltown Kerry
  • Annascaul NS, Annascaul, Co. Kerry
  • Scoil Iognaid Ris, Dingle Boys NS, Co. Kerry
  • Moyderwell Mercy Primary School, Tralee
  • Cullina National School, Beaufort, Killarney
  • Faha National School, Killarney Co. Kerry
  • Scoil Mhuire NS, Killorglin, Co. Kerry
  • St. Gobnatan NS, Mallow Co. Cork
  • Scoil Mhuire agus Naomh Treasa, Currow
  • Holy Family, Rathmore, Co. Kerry
  • Dromlough National School, Listowel
  • St. Brigid’s Duagh NS, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick
Interview - Máire Uí Chroinín, Cullina
Interview - Mary Mullen, Tallaght
Interview - Lisa Stack, Cullina
Interview - Breda Murray, Darndale
Interview - Gillian Sheahan, Kilcummin
Interview - Lorraine Counihan, Autistic Unit Killarney
Interview - Margaret Hannafin, Currow
Interview - Linda Boyle, Darndale

CPD / EPV

Nikki Roberts facilitates Department of Education approved “I AM” online and Face to Face courses. On successful completion of either of these 20 hour certified courses, the participants qualify for EPV days. Valid Teacher Council Number required.

Nikki facilitates Summer CPD/EPV Face to Face courses which are hosted by the Education Centre, Tralee.

The “I AM” Integrating Art & Mindfulness Online course is recommended nationally by several Education Centres. To date the following ESCI centres have signed up to promote the course in-house.
  • Athlone Education Centre
  • Blackrock Education Centre
  • Wexford Education Centre
  • Navan Education Centre
  • Tralee Education Centre
  • West Cork Education Centre

Croke Park Hours

Nikki Roberts facilitates Croke Park Hours in schools, extrapolating elements of the “I AM” programme to provide a bespoke package that meets the need of a particular school and staff.

Prior to the delivery of the Croke Park Hours, Nikki will discuss the school’s requirements in order to furnish the school with suggestions, solutions and pratical tips that will help to serve them most appropriately.

Recent research suggests it is important that parents should be involved and encouraged to incorporate aspects of mindfulness practice at home and that a separate course for parents may be a best practice