Thriving Together: A Comprehensive Approach to Wellbeing in Post-Primary Education

A comprehensive CESC event addressing both student and staff wellbeing through innovative approaches and practical strategies at post primary.

Date: Tuesday, 11th November 2025
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:45 PM
Venue: Cork Education Support Centre
Format: Face-to-face presentation and interactive sessions

Programme Overview

6:30 - 7:10 PM: Student Wellbeing & Coaching Approaches

Discover how a strengths-based, student-centered approach can transform academic outcomes. In this presentation, Marianne explores how the principles of positive psychology and a focus on student wellbeing can empower learners to take ownership of their education. Learn practical strategies to foster resilience, motivation, and independent learning — and help students thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

Presenter: Marianne Landers is a guidance counsellor with over a decade of experience supporting students across a variety of second-level educational settings. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to fostering academic success through independent learning, the principles of positive psychology, and a holistic approach to student wellbeing. Marianne’s practice integrates evidence-based strategies to empower students to thrive both personally and academically, making her a passionate advocate for nurturing resilience, motivation, and self-directed growth in young people. 

7:10 - 7:20 PM: Light Refreshments
Networking opportunity and break

7:20 - 8:05 PM: Elevating Excellence: Building High Performance Culture & Leadership Capacity in Secondary Schools

Join us for this dynamic workshop designed specifically for secondary school leaders, department heads, and aspiring educational leaders ready to transform their school culture and develop the next generation of educational excellence.

In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, creating a high-performance culture isn't just about academic results—it's about fostering an environment where students, staff, and leaders thrive together. This workshop will equip you with practical strategies to cultivate leadership at every level while building sustainable systems that drive continuous improvement.

Presenter: Donal O Mahony has served as Deputy Principal at Christian Brothers College since 2017, bringing extensive educational leadership and teaching experience to his role. His career progression within the school demonstrates a deep commitment to educational excellence and student development.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Principal, Donal held key leadership positions including Transition Year Coordinator and Year Head, where he gained valuable experience in curriculum development, student guidance, and educational administration. His leadership approach has been enhanced through specialised professional development, including completion of The Instructional Leadership Course with Barrie Bennett, as well as The Magenta Principles and Learning Powered Schools courses with Graham Powell and Guy Claxton.

Donal’s multifaceted career combines educational leadership, teaching excellence, and sports development, making him a well-rounded contributor to both his school community and the broader Cork sporting community.

8:05 - 8:30 PM: Role-Playing Games for Empathy Development
Presenters: Kristin Brogan & Emer Thomspon, MTU Tralee

• Introduction to Role-Playing Games (RPGs) in education
• Developing empathy through interactive gaming
• Innovative approaches to student engagement

8:30 - 8:40 PM: Q&A Session
Open discussion and questions with all presenters

Who Should Attend?

• School leaders, principals and administrators
• Teachers and support staff
• Guidance counsellors and SNA's
• Anyone interested in educational wellbeing initiatives

Key Takeaways

This evening will provide you with:

• Practical coaching techniques for student support
• Leadership strategies for staff wellbeing
• Innovative tools for developing student empathy
• Networking opportunities with fellow educators
• Evidence-based approaches to creating positive school culture