We’re delighted to announce shortlisted entries in our Mission Possible school achievement awards.
These awards showcase the meaningful work schools are undertaking to foster positive mental health and wellbeing in classrooms and communities across Ireland.
At the beginning of the school year, Walk in My Shoes (WIMS) invited primary schools, secondary schools and Further Education Training (FET) centres (including Youthreach) to take part in Mission Possible 2024/25. We asked those entering to showcase a mental health and wellbeing initiative on our School Portal and to suggest an event, activity or initiative they would organise with the prize money.
Amazing entries
We had some incredible initiatives and ideas submitted, before being evaluated by our judging panel. These included a Self-Expression Uniform Day, Wellbeing Weeks, a Let it Out booklet, Thriving Thursdays, a wellbeing noticeboard, Diversity Weeks, nurture rooms, sensory gardens, a Senior-to-Junior Mentoring Program, a Student Support Booklet, Stand UP Week, and a Mentoring Wheel.
Our judges - Sinead Smith, teacher in Willow Grove Adolescent Unit at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS); Paul Gilligan, Chief Executive Officer at SPMHS; and Trish Harrington, Guidance Councillor in St Patrick’s Cathedral Grammar School – had the tough task of shortlisting the entries.
Winners in each category will receive a €1,000 prize, a role as WIMS School Ambassador and a specialist WIMS School Support Package. Runners-up in each category will receive prize money of €500. The winner of our secondary school category will also get a place for a student on our 2025/26 Transition Year (TY) Programme.
We are delighted to announce the two shortlisted schools per category. These schools are being invited to our awards ceremony in St Patrick’s University Hospital in Dublin 8 in February 2025, where the first-place winners and runners-up will be revealed.
2024/25 Mission Possible shortlist
Primary school category
St Clare's National School, County Cavan
St Seachnall's National School, County Meath
Secondary school category
Coláiste Muire Ballymote, County Sligo
Catherine McAuley School, County Limerick
FET centres (including Youthreach) category
Kilkenny Youthreach, County Kilkenny
Pleasant Street Youthreach, Dublin 8
Creativity in mental health promotion
WIMS Campaign Manager, Amanda McArdle, says:
“ I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of this year’s applications… it amazes me year on year how creative schools are when it comes to positive mental health promotion. Not only is it fantastic to see the initiatives for students but also the importance of shining a light on teacher and school staff’s wellbeing."
Thanks to everyone for entering and for sharing your incredible initiatives and ideas. You can see all the projects that were entered into Mission Possible on our School Portal. We wish those shortlisted the very best of luck at the awards ceremony; stay tuned to learn more about the winners next month!
