Chaplaincy work supports students’ personal and spiritual growth,
through deeper understanding of oneself, others and/or God.
The Chaplain works collaboratively with all members of the school community and members of the wider community who are connected with the school.
The work of the Chaplain this academic year (2024 – ’25) includes:
One on one check in with students
This work is usually done by appointment and sometimes when a need arises, without an appointment. Students are invited to develop and practice meditation skills during the check in.
Pop-up meditations in the classroom
This work is usually gifted to staff who arrange the pop-up meditation appointment in advance. It can sometimes happen spontaneously too. This work develops key skills in stillness.
Meditation programmes during subject classes
This is usually a 4 week programme (each session lasting 30 minutes), to assist with building class spirit. The meditation programmes are requested by teachers and the content is tailored to suit the needs of the teacher (eg. building deep listening skills / restoring a respectful class spirit etc.).
Development of services and ceremonies:
These services include the Opening of the School Year / In November we Remember / Christmas / Graduation etc.. Services and ceremonies are prepared in collaboration with staff and students. Students on the SST list are identified and invited to engage with preparations for services and ceremonies. The Chaplain also supports students who wish to practice their faith.
Citizenship Education and Intercultural Initiatives
These initiatives support the development of strong and just citizenship education, through development education programmes;
such as the World Wise Global Schools https://www.worldwiseschools.ie/
and community development programmes; such as Localise https://www.localise.ie
This work includes raising awareness of cultural similarities and differences as well as an awareness of cultural bias among students and staff in Larkin. We have 32 different nationalities represented in our school community.
Artist Residencies and Initiatives
The Chaplain supports creative development for students and staff at Larkin Community College. The Chaplain also helps to arrange artists and funding for creativity in education initiatives with teachers and with the curriculum. Partners include:
Links with agencies in the NEIC
Accessing interagency support for students (YPAR / De Paul / The Co-op / Crosscare / Local Churches / The Abbey Theatre / The Gate Theatre etc..). This work includes attending Mental Health Group meetings, Hard To Reach youth services meetings, Community Arts and Culture meetings etc..
Our success as a school is down to the fact that our staff are generous and we work together to make things happen for our students. We do all of this with love.
How we are in Larkin Community College:
We aim to build a strong, happy community in Larkin. The Irish writer John O
Compassion is the ability to vitally imagine what it is like to be an other, the force that makes a bridge from the island of one individuality to the island of the other. It is an ability to step outside your own perspective, limitations and ego, and become attentive in a vulnerable, encouraging, critical, and creative way with the hidden world of another person.
