SPHE

Subject Spotlight

Social, Personal & Health Education

Empowering students to be healthy, resilient, confident, and empathetic young adults. We equip learners to nurture respectful relationships and prepare for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences of life beyond school. At Davitt College, SPHE provides a safe, non-judgmental space to develop core social and emotional skills, build positive self-worth, and navigate the complexities of adolescence with critical thinking and care.

The Davitt Standard

Cultivating personal responsibility, emotional wellbeing, and respectful communication to support holistic student growth through every stage of their post-primary journey.

Wellbeing, Health & Personal Growth

SPHE Curriculum & Pathways

Positioning students as active agents in their own lives to build self-awareness, foster emotional resilience, and make informed, healthy decisions.

Stage 1 • Years 1 to 3 Core Subject

Junior Cycle SPHE

Positioning students as active agents in their own lives to build self-awareness and make informed, healthy decisions across key developmental stages.

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Four Interconnecting Strands

Understanding Myself & Others, Making Healthy Choices, Relationships & Sexuality, and Emotional Wellbeing.

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Cross-Cutting Elements

Driven by Awareness, Dialogue, and Reflection and Action across all learning experiences.

Portfolio of Learning
Core

Compilation of 3 distinct pieces of work with detailed reflections.

Certification
JCPA

Recorded via Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement as an NCCA course.

Stage 2 • Senior Cycle Core Framework

Senior Cycle SPHE

Promoting self-efficacy, health literacy, and resilience to confidently navigate the transition into independent adulthood.

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Three Foundational Strands

Health and Wellbeing, Relationships & Sexuality, and Into Adulthood.

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Continuous Engagement

Structured learning experiences, key reflective assignments, and LCA credits.

Key Assignments
Reflection

Structured activities applied to real-world scenarios.

LCA Framework
Credits

Presentation & modules recorded for final certification.

Latest Department News

Digital Safety

Marking Safer Internet Day 2026: SPHE Take a Deep Dive
Wellbeing

Celebrating World Mental Health Day in the Community
#BeKindOnline

Safer Internet Day: Keeping the Conversation Going
View All Department News →

Beyond the Classroom

At Davitt College, learning in SPHE extends far beyond the syllabus. We actively encourage students to apply their social, personal, and health education in the real world through community engagement, national awareness campaigns, and student-led initiatives.

Community Partnerships

Collaborating with local groups like Mindspace Castlebar and the Mayo Mental Health Association. Students engage in events like World Mental Health Day at Brú Coffee Shop to promote positive mental health and break stigmas.

National Awareness Campaigns

Students lead school-wide initiatives for events like Safer Internet Day. Through peer campaigns and digital safety discussions, they champion responsibility and spread the vital #BeKindOnline message.

Student-Led Advocacy & Wellbeing Spaces

Empowering student voice through Junior Cycle "Taking Action" projects and collaboration with our Creative Schools team to design and install dedicated school wellbeing spaces.

Ready to Get Involved?

Whether you are building your foundations in Junior Cycle wellbeing or mastering health literacy for the Senior Cycle and beyond, your SPHE journey starts here.

Junior Cycle Options Senior Cycle Pathways

Speak to the department team to get started.

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