Resilience and Me by The Examcraft Group

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RESILIENCE

AND ME Melanie Martin & Leah O’Shaughnessy In conjunction with students from Tallaght Community School

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT RESILIENCE AND ME… Rich in humanity, courage and vivid imagery, this book should be required reading for anyone working with young people or in need of hope. It is a powerful testament to human resilience in the face of incredible grief, loss, bullying, racism and other traumatic experiences. It offers key insights into the value of having one good adult or coach in our lives, and the power of family, friends and “community connectedness” to support us in times of vulnerability. Honest and raw, it highlights the importance of knowing how and where to seek help; the joy and love of sport, dance and staying active; the power of access to education; the need to notice what is working well; and the value of giving generously to others. It is a beautiful celebration of life, and an absolute credit to the students and teachers of Tallaght Community School. Share this book and its insights with those you love and those you feel need more love. A1 to Tallaght Community School. Jigsaw Dublin South West

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Jigsaw offer expert mental health advice and support online and in person to young people across Ireland aged 12-25 years old. (www.jigsaw.ie)

‘Resilience and Me’ is a powerful book, filled with wisdom, suffering, vulnerability, courage and community, that gives a rare insight into the hurt and the hope that underlie the development of resilience. I can see the stories in this book being an inspiration for other young people who may be in the throes of their own struggle. It is great that they have peers who can show them there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is worth reaching for. Dr David Coleman Dr David Coleman is a child and adolescent clinical psychologist. He is the author of three books, as well as the acclaimed online course ‘Scared Kids’. (www.davidcoleman.ie)

‘Resilience and Me’ is a powerful book – reading the stories of young people who overcame adversity and took charge of their lives is both moving and inspirational. Credit to the two teachers who inspired the young people to tell their stories and who generously shared their own. Any young person who is going through a hard time and any teacher or professional trying to support them should read this book. Dr. John Sharry

Dr. John Sharry is an adjunct professor at UCD’s School of Psychology. He is a weekly columnist for the Irish Times, a social worker, child and family psychotherapist and a leading innovator in solution-focused practice, working with individuals, families and organisations. (www. solutiontalk.ie).

Resilience is an underrated quality in young people today, and the creators who put pen to paper for ‘Resilience and Me’ have demonstrated that it’s a quality they have in spades. This moving and emotive book, full of hope and despair, agony and ecstasy, and all the things that make us human, is a fitting tribute to those we have lost and a beacon of hope for the rest of us who may be struggling at times.

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There’s a saying as Gaeilge, “Ní neart go cur le chéile”, meaning “there is no strength without unity”. This book is a demonstration of that unity of spirit, and of what can be achieved when young people come together to share their thoughts and experiences.

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Tréaslaím le hóige Tamhlachta a bhí bainteach leis an dtogra seo agus guím gach rath orthu amach anseo. I congratulate the young people of Tallaght involved in this project and I wish them every success in their very bright futures. Cllr. Peter Kavanagh Mayor of South Dublin

‘Resilience and Me’ is fascinating, informative and in my opinion, a must-read for every young person. It highlights beautifully the resilience that resides in us all and how the power of a strong community spirit can unite us. The pupils in Tallaght Community School share extracts from their lives that anyone can relate to; there is a story for everyone in this book. Emer Neville – President of ISSU.

Founded in 2008, the ISSU represents Irish second-level students on a local, regional, national and international level. To find out more, visit www. issu.ie.

Amidst the digital din of ping and ding it can sometimes get lost that all young people come with a standard issue of ordinary magic. The wonderful stories compiled by the authors in ‘Resilience and Me’ remind us of this superpower - the ability to bounce back. The word ‘resilience’ comes from the Latin word resilio - to spring back. This treasure trove of stories of ordinary magic reminds us it’s always too soon to give up. The next foothold may be the one that provides the required lift. John Doran

John Doran is author of Ways to Well-being – a well-being programme for Irish second-level students. John has worked as a teacher and now guidance counsellor in the Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge for over 20 years (@awaytowellbeing).

‘Resilience and Me’ is a testament to the fantastic and inspirational young people of this country, I felt so proud of them as I read story after story. This book is sure to evoke ‘all of the feels’ as the young people say! It is so uplifting to see how the students faced each of their own unique challenges with such courage, strength, and of course resilience! The stories are raw, honest and beautiful. It was a pleasure to read them and witness each student developing self-awareness and growing resilience. After a challenging time, it is fantastic to see something so positive as a result. A moving and heart-warming read.

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Anna Lehane

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Anna Lehane is a coach, teen mentor and speaker. She provides a supportive space for her clients to identify blind spots, create more awareness, shift their mindset, reach goals and much more (www.annalehanecoach. com).

Published by The Examcraft Group 89F Lagan Road, Dublin Industrial Estate, Glasnevin, Dublin 11

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reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, without written

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permission of the publisher. Such written permission must also

be obtained before any part of this publication is stored in a retrieval system of any nature.

Requests for permission should be directed to The Examcraft Group, 89F Lagan Road, Dublin Industrial Estate,

Glasnevin, Dublin 11 or info@examcraftgroup.ie

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S AND

Melanie Martin & Leah O’ Shaughnessy In conjunction with students from Tallaght Community School

ABSTRACT

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We don’t choose the hardships we face in life, or how old we are when we face them. They choose us, often when we least expect it. What we control is how we respond and how we bounce back.

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In a time of uncertainty, struggle or strife we all share one common trait: our innate ability to be resilient. As people, we connect by sharing our stories, because our ‘stories of resilience, stir up resilience in others’ (Morgan Harper Nichols). An honest account of our own journeys can provide hope in the dark and enable others to access the tools to navigate their way towards the light. Sharing allows our stories to be heard and valued, as well as allowing us to form deep connections of hope and care for all who read them.

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RES ILIE NCE A ND ME

YOU E L P M A ARE S ESILIENT,

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ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS BELIEVE IT!

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S DEDICATIONS

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This book is in memory of our brave students who have passed:

Luke, Sean and Michal.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We have been deeply humbled by the journeys and struggles our students have had to face. To every student who has selflessly contributed to this book and shared their story for the good of others, we are proud of you all beyond any words. This is written by you, to inspire others who might find themselves in your position. Each of you, in your own way, have reminded us why we love what we do. These are only a snapshot of the tremendous outpouring of inspiration you bring every day you walk into our classrooms. To the past pupils who contributed, it was truly touching to see the connection that remains between school and community. Your willingness to become involved in our project is greatly appreciated. You continue to make our school proud.

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To our school Board of Management, thank you for backing our vision. You have always placed the student voice at the forefront of our school and this project is a result of that.

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To our principal Aidan Lynch, Deputies Ian Boran and Claire Greene, and Acting Deputies Aisling Reigh and Ryan McCarthy, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to show others what we see in our students every day. This year has been an incredibly challenging year to lead a school, but despite this you believed in us, your staff, our vision and, most importantly, the student voice.

ACKN OWLED GEME N TS

To all of the parents, thank you for trusting us with your children’s stories. We know how precious your children are and it is not a light decision to allow your children to put forward such authentic pieces that display vulnerability and true strength. We know that you will be just as proud as we are, if not more!

To the members of the English and Religion Department, thank you for supporting our unique approach to gathering the authentic story. We are always a team, and it really is true that together everything amounts to more.

To Emma Mulhall Lynch, thank you for picking the name for our book. It is a perfect representation of this collection of stories. To Avril Fanning, thank you for reading our first draft, editing and building us up with your kind words and a touch of honesty. You believed in us! To Ryan McCarthy, you were a pillar of strength for us throughout this process. From editing and advising, every second guess we made was met with your confidence and faith in us. Thank you. To Philip O’ Callaghan, from our first call with a basic idea and a lot of enthusiasm, you made our dream become a reality and we can’t thank you enough for that. Thanks to Viviane Steil, our graphic designer, for immersing yourself in each of the stories to find a true and beautiful interpretation through your art. Your designs really captured our vision.

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To our families and friends, thanks for backing our idea and showing us love and support.

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INTRODUCTION The inspiration for this collection of stories was born from a simple homework assignment: students were asked to write about a time in their life where they showed resilience. This exercise was delivered on our return to school in September, following a national lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A simple exercise that sparked an incredible moment of hope in a dark and bleak time. The stories in this collection are from Tallaght Community School, the first ever community school in Ireland. We are a DEIS school that provides pathways for our students to have all the opportunities they deserve in life. Traditionally, Tallaght has been known as a ‘disadvantaged area’, a term that in no way reflects the spirit of the community of Tallaght. Very often, people face judgement based on where they are from and there can be an unfair stigma attached to lives as a result. This collection of stories is a celebration of the young people from Tallaght Community School, both past and present.

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Young people today face many hardships with anxiety and depression on the rise. We wanted to create a collection of stories that were part of the solution, not the problem. At some point in each story, each student didn’t see hope, light or a way out. Yet with support, guidance, self-belief and resilience they all found their way forward. Whether young or old, when you read these stories, you can no doubt relate in some way to their journey. They mark the shift from just focusing on the negative to find the positive.

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Roughly 90% of the stories in this collection were gathered authentically, the students completed a lesson on resilience or did their homework and classwork. They did not write with the intention of having their stories in this book. We read 100s of stories, and these are the ones that through their simplicity and complexity offer us a moment of reflection and insight into the mind of a teenager and the hardships they face. It also shows how strong and resilient teenagers are.

We offered the students an opportunity to share their own story of resilience to inspire others. Printing their stories gives a voice to their

strength through adversity. Often, people look for inspirational speakers or people who hold a status of fame to tell their story of triumph in the face of adversity. Yet, we firmly believe inspiration lies deep within our own narratives. We believe each of these stories are a powerful and positive piece of our student’s voices, a piece that represents the best of each student’s individual journey and story. A true representation of the young people we have in our society. In order to protect the rawness of each story, we have refrained from heavy editing. What you will read are raw pieces of work submitted by our students. Put simply, it is what they wrote. Nothing added or taken away. Other stories come from past pupils, which reflect the powerful connection of a community school. Community does not end; it continues because of the shared connection. Each student faced a challenge, but through sheer resilience they defied the odds. We once again gave the prompt to write about a time in their lives they showed resilie and their stories went in the direction of their choosing. They were not shaped, and as a result you will read an authentic story. To protect the identity of anonymous writers, we have changed individuals’ names.

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Our hope for anyone reading this is that you find light in the darkness, and that you realise we all face difficult and challenging times, but we can get through it if we learn to talk about our experiences and build resilience. These stories may give you hope, show you direction or inspire you to believe in yourself. There is something for everyone on the pages that follow.

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RESILIENCE

AND ME Created By Melanie Martin & Leah O’ Shaughnessy In Conjunction with ExamCraft Group & Tallaght Community School

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Resilience and Me is a collection of stories from the students of Tallaght Community School. On returning to school after the extended closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students were asked to reflect on a time they showed resilience in their lives to enable them to draw on their own resources as they embraced a new school year. The stories the students wrote moved their teachers. They will resonate with young people and adults from all walks of life and are a celebration of the students from Tallaght Community School, both past and present. The spirit, strength and shared sense of community is experienced on every page of this book. By reading the stories of young people who have experienced struggles, it is hoped that it will support others in learning to talk about what is happening for them and using the tools they see on these pages to build resilience. All proceeds of the sale of this book go directly to the appointed charities: WALK and JIGSAW. WALK is a charity that empowers people with disabilities to live self-determined lives in an equal and inclusive society. Jigsaw offers expert mental health advice online and in person to young people across Ireland aged 12-25 years old.

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“I'm confident this book will help young people who are struggling to see that not only are they not alone in what they are going through, but also that they all have it within them to move forward, grow stronger and flourish as a result.”

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Jade Wilson, Journalist, Irish Times.

S RESILIENCE

AND ME

Melanie Martin & Leah O’Shaughnessy In conjunction with students from Tallaght Community School

 Resilience and Me

89F Lagan Road, Dublin Industrial Estate, Glasnevin, Dublin 11, D11 F98N, Republic of Ireland. T: ++ 353 1 8081494 - F: ++ 353 1 836 2739 E: info@examcraftgroup.ie - W: www.examcraftgroup.ie