Daryl and Cormac talked to TY Students in The Teresian School, Donnybook
What the Students had to say
We asked the students what they took from Wolf Academy's talks and workshops
They connect with young people in a way that older generations can't
“There has never been a greater need for extra wellbeing support in schools. What Wolf Academy has created is an amazing suite of programs that is just what is needed for students in Senior Cycle at the moment. Cormac and his team have an amazing youthful energy and I believe they will really connect with young people in a way that older generations can’t. Their workshop content is to the highest quality I have seen and they have brought together experts in such a wide range of wellbeing disciplines. The workshops are well thought out and tackle a variety of the different problems students face. From breathing techniques to help reduce their anxiety to goal setting for their future to performing better in sport, Wolf Academy has something for every student.
The personal stories of the coaches are what makes these workshops so engaging for students and the use of a workbook with action steps helps drive home what they are learning. The workshops are exactly what teachers are looking for at the moment. They are already bogged down with a huge workload so the fact they don’t need to learn anything extra for wellbeing makes these workshops very appealing to use in class.
I cannot recommend Wolf Academy strongly enough for principals and teachers to begin implementing as a fundamental core piece of their school’s wellbeing strategy for the Senior Cycle.”
- Betty McLaughlin, Regional Team Leader, JCT Wholeschool and Wellbeing, Former National President of The Institute of Guidance Counsellors
Feedback from Teachers
The videos, the content and the
facilitators were excellent
“Each TY base class completed a different module of the Create Yourself Curriculum Online Workshops. Clear and easy to follow instructions were given to me which I passed onto the students at the start. It was easy for students to register, begin and finish the workshop. During lockdown students completed a workshop bundle as part of their Life Skills credits. The topics are so relevant for everyone today, particularly students and fitted right in with the Life Skills subject area - Managing Your Mind, Optimising Your Day, Pressure Proof Your Performance and Visualising Your Future. The videos, the content, and the facilitators, were excellent. The workshop was easy to follow for all abilities of students. There was a great sense of achievement for the student when they received a certificate once they fully completed the 12 workshops of the bundle. The accompanying editable booklets which the students complete, to go with online workshops, make the students think about what they are learning, and are a great evaluation and reflection tool once the workshop is over. The workshop providers were so helpful with any issues we had - we had very few issues as the workshop is well thought out, easy to use and follow. The workshops would be suitable for remote and in school learning. I would recommend these workshops for any senior cycle group, but particularly for TY and LCA students. I look forward to welcoming the facilitators into ACS next year. “
- Caroline Mathews, Programme Coordinator, Ashbourne Community School
My students have commented to me how much they enjoy the workshops
“I have known Cormac and Daryl for several years, firstly as students in St Patrick's Classical school and, more recently, in their capacity as creators of Wolf Academy. They have also been professional in all dealings but the element that I have been most impressed with is the quality of the content that they have produced. This quality is both in the content that they present but also in the way that it is presented, with its ease of navigation, its engaging layout and the relevance of the topics for students in the current situation. As TY Coordinator, my students have also commented to me on how much they have enjoyed the workshops that they have undertaken and the benefits that they have noticed from participating. I would happily recommend Wold Academy to any other school and I look forward to continuing working with Cormac and Daryl in the future.”
- Ciarán Murphy, TY Coordinator, St Patrick’s Classical School Navan
The topics are relatable for students and very relevant for teenagers and the world they live in today
“My Transition Years signed up a variety of Wolf Academy's Create Yourself workshops during the remote learning weeks of early 2021 as part of the Life Skills and SPHE classes; the students found the experience very rewarding. The site is very easy to navigate; each student has their own log in where they can progress at their own pace, evaluation questionnaires after every workshop help students reflect on the experience. The quality of the videos is excellent, each presenter is warm and easy to listen to, students are immediately interested in what is being said, particularly when some of the speakers give their personal stories and how they overcame past struggles. The variety of the content means that the topics are relatable for students and very relevant for teenagers and the world they live in today. Doing these workshops has encouraged my students to embrace and value calmness; motivated them to get the very best out of their day through good sleep habits, nutrition and exercise; acknowledge stress and coping tools to manage stress, recognise how the body and mind are connected and influence better thinking through breathing, and above all these workshops have empowered my students to boost their self-confidence. I highly recommend these workshops and intend to include them as part of the TY programme in my school for future years.”
- Aideen O'Sullivan, TY Coordinator, St Joseph's Mercy Secondary School, Navan
The videos and instructions given help both the teacher and student engage on a personal level
“I Fiachra Ross, currently a teacher in St. Mary's D.S Drogheda, have been using Wolf Academy’s fantastic resources since after the Halloween break, I have used it with My T.Y classes and some S.P.H.E classes when I am filling in. I can't recommend Wolf Academy enough as everything is completed for you and it's just a simple case of logging on. Their use of I.T and videos is very welcomed in the age of technology however there is a good mix as you can also use their workshop packs. These include classroom based activities. I have used their workshop packs for discussion of topics in class. These can introduce the workshop and give aims and thoughts of developing their topic further.
The videos and instructions given also help both the teacher and student engage on a personal level and an educational level. They have a vast number of speakers and educators. This is the first in its kind that I have encountered in wellbeing and has set goals and activities which would be great on a wellbeing workshop. What's even better is that this workshop could be given to either an adult or student as the activities and workshop undertaken could relate to either one. I use this as part of my Community Care program in school and I have enjoyed the topics discussed as it brought about great debate in my classroom.”
- Fiachra Ross, Teaching Council Number 205338, St. Mary's DS, Drogheda
They forged a great connection with the students, captivating students' interest throughout.
From the second the workshop started the students were engaged.
The Wolf Academy lads have a unique approach. From the second the workshop started the students were engaged. It was a fantastic day full of laughter, confidence building, and something just a little bit different. The students thought it was “extremely motivational”, and it gave them a “massive sense of relief from their fears and worries.” A great way to start the academic year!
Rebecca Jones
Feedback from Students
What aspects of this workshop were most useful or valuable?
“Mental health isn’t talked about enough so I’m glad it’s being talked about in detail”
“I loved the personal experiences from the instructor”
“Learning how to love myself”
What major difference did the workshop make in your life?
“It made me see that it's ok to just be myself”
“It helped me with the things i’m struggling with and made me more aware of other people”
“Helped me to realise that I’m not alone even if I feel alone, I shouldn’t fear the unknown or challenges as it will hold me back and not allow me to grow as a person, to push myself out of my comfort zone and to let go of the past”
What aspects of this workshop were most useful or valuable?
“The meditation helped me de-stress”
“The tips on improving mental and physical health”
“Nutrition, exercise, sleep”
What major difference did the workshop make in your life?
“It helped me learn to appreciate time with others more and it helped me to sleep on a regular basis”
“Helped me reduce my screen time and become healthier”
“Focusing more on the little things”
What aspects of this workshop were most useful or valuable so far?
“Learning about your mind and the way we think sometimes”
“Boosting self esteem”
“I found all of it really valuable but the workshop on beliefs really helped me”
What major difference has this workshop made in your life?
“It made me realise that people go through the same things. The things you feel are normal and they happen to everyone.”
“Being more positive and confident in my own skin”
“I realised that i wasn't letting myself be who I am”
What aspects of this workshop were most useful or valuable?
“Every bit of it”
“Planning for the future and not worrying about it”
“i really enjoyed the meanings behind each workshop such as you can be who you want to be and you don't have to care what other people think”
What major difference did the workshop make in your life?
“Made me realise that everything is achievable once you believe and work for it”
“It made me feel more confident knowing my future”
“I now realize that it doesn't matter what people think. I should be me.”
What aspects of this workshop were most useful or valuable so far?
“The explanations of the way the body works, the flight or fight concept and how common everyday stresses can affect our breathing”
“How to handle high pressure situations”
“I learned breathing affects lots of things such as my posture and my organs”
What major difference has the workshop made in your life so far?
“The breathing exercises help with my anxiety”
“I overthink a lot and my mind sometimes gets the better of my and makes me worry so this has helped me gain techniques to help me calm myself down”
“It has helped me learn the skills to potentially become a person with a great sense of wellbeing and also with more energy”
What aspects of this workshop were most useful or valuable?
“Just overall learning to become more effective at creating goals and stopping negative thoughts from halting you progress.”
“How to improve the use of skills under pressure”
“The strategies to use to help you deal when doing something under pressure like the smearing technique”
What major difference did the workshop make in your life?
“I feel visualisation has helped me perform a lot better”
“Definitely made me more confident”
“Helped me deal with these type of situations better”
What aspects of this workshop were most useful or valuable so far?
“New Yoga poses and Shavasana”
“Breathing, focus point and balance”
“Breathing, taking time for yourself”
What major difference has the workshop made in your life so far?
“I am now doing yoga at least once every day and I am finding that I can cope with stressful situations a lot better”
“It has added meditation and yoga into my daily life”
“Increased focus, better mindset”
What aspects of this workshop were most useful or valuable so far?
“Talking to others about your problems”
“Express your feelings”
“Mindfulness and meditation”
What major difference did the workshop make in your life?
“How to deal with negative comments from others”
“To be positive”
“It has made me more aware of my wellbeing”
