Mental Health Awareness Day: Borrisokane Community College on December 12^th last held a ceremony to promote mental health awareness. Organised by Ms. Elaine Dunne the event was a huge success. A tree filled with student messages on one of the Take 5 a day for mental health was lit to open the ceremony.  Students sang throughout the ceremony and were joined by Jim Breen, founder of the Cycle Against Suicide, Seamus Hennessey, Bressie, the ‘Heathers’ and representatives from the Samaritans.

Tipperary hurler, Seamus, recalled how Rainbows under the guidance of Sr. Nora at Borrisokane CC helped him through a difficult time as a teenager. He urged students to get involved in the cycle against suicide this year as it passes through Tipperary. Bressie captivated and moved the audience with personal stories of his own struggle with mental health issues. He described many moments of despair he suffered throughout a ten year period. His addiction to sleeping pills and his continuous lack of sleep. How he attempted to knock himself unconscious rather than play a match for the Irish rugby team. How minutes before appearing live on ‘The Voice’ he cried and vomited in the dressing room. He feared how society would judge him once his difficulties with mental health were exposed. He appealed to all to put an end to the stigma attached to mental health issues.  He urged everyone, particularly the male teenagers, to acknowledge when they could not cope, to talk about it and seek help. Through personalising his mind, Jeffrey, he has learnt to deal with and overcome his anxiety and lives a happier life. He was followed by Jim Breen who led the audience, nearly 600 students and teachers in the Cycle Against Suicide motto ‘It’s OK not to feel Ok and its absolutely OK to ask for help’ . He spoke about the increase in the number of schools promoting an awareness of mental health and the importance of seeking help. The ceremony was ended with a live performance by the Heathers with the theme song for the Cycle against Suicide, ‘Forget me Knots’. They also sang their new single for the first time and everyone was up on their feet dancing as they sang the theme one last time to close the ceremony.

Senior Camogie Final: Borrisokane Senior girls has a great victory over Cashel Community School last Friday.  Both teams played tremendously well in harsh cold conditions. They battled hard but Borrisokane Community College were the winners in the end and accepted the silverware, the third camogie competition win this school year. Thanks to the team coaches Ms. Catriona Maher and Vincent McKenna.

Christmas Exams: 1^st, 2^nd and 5^th year students start their Christmas exams this week. With the countdown to the Christmas holidays this Friday, students will now put their pens to paper and try their best to reach their full potential in their Christmas tests. Best of Luck to all.

Seasons Greetings: Borrisokane Community College will close for the Christmas Holidays on Friday December 19^th and will reopen on Monday January 5^th 2015. The Principal, Matthew Carr, and Deputy Principal, Suzanne McMahon would like to commend all the staff and students on their hard work this term. A huge variety of events, supported by the local community, enjoying great successes have taken place. They would like to wish all the staff, students, parents and the wider community a peaceful and happy Christmas and New Year.  

Positive Mental Health Workshops: On January 6th all fifth year students will be involved in a programme called “Breathe”.  This programme will be delivered by the Gaiety School of Acting and will look at themes to promote Positive Mental Health. Students taking part in the programme will have the opportunity to express themselves, engage with one another and feel good.  The school staff will have an opportunity to take part in programme after school on January and all parents of the school are invited to a workshop for parents on January 6th from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.  The themes for parents is to learn positive ways of parenting, improve their listening skills and enhance communication with their young people