We are delighted to be applying for our first Active School Flag for our school. The Active School Flag is a Department of Education and Skills initiative which recognises schools that strive to achieve a physically active school community. Once awarded the flag remains valid for 3 years.

To achieve the flag we are working on new, exciting ways to encourage all pupils to become more active. As a school, we will evaluate our current provision of P.E. and extracurricular sports to children and examine whether they can be improved upon.

It is our overall aim to raise awareness about the importance of play, sport and keeping fit by providing opportunities to experience a wide range of sports as well as maintaining sports that are more traditional to our school.

Here is a link to the Get Ireland Active website which has lots of great ideas and tips for beginning a more active life!

Keep an eye on this page for further updates on our progress!

Physical Education Programme

Each class participates in a minimum of one hour timetabled Physical Education per week. Pupils take part in lessons that cover the strands of the Physical Education Curriculum – Athletics, Dance, Games, Gymnastics, and Outdoor and Adventure Activities. 1st – 6th Classes attend swimming lessons in Birr for 6 weeks prior to Easter.

PE Homework

We are currently taking part in the Super Troopers programme. Committee members visits each of the classes to introduce the active homework for that evening.

The Daily Mile

We started with ‘A K a Day’ and now we’re going for the mile! What better way to improve our fitness levels becoming part of The Daily Mile Ireland! We are committed to helping children get fit for life and fit for learning by running a mile every day possible at school.

GAA

All children are encouraged to partake in Hurling, Camogie and Gaelic Football.  Various competitions are entered throughout the year – INTO Mini-7s, Cumann na mBunscol, Michael Joyce Cup, Go Games and others.

Liam Gordon is our GAA coach along with Joan Poland.  Liam comes every Wednesday for 6 weeks during Term 1 and Term 3 to train Senior Infants – 6th Class. Joan Poland takes all classes for hurling every Thursday weather permitting. On wet days she does circuit training in the hall. Mr Kelly takes groups for hurling and Gaelic football.

We have close links with the local hurling (Meelick/Eyrecourt) and camogie (Eyrecourt) clubs.

School Yard

We have a variety of games marked on the playground.

Irish Dancing

Mrs McLaughlin teaches Irish Dancing for a 6/8 week block during the year.

Yoga

Ellen Baggs teaches Yoga for a 6-8 week block in Term 3.

Skipping

Children have access to skipping ropes at break time.  We have also employed the services of Mark McCabe of Skip n’Rope where children were taught skipping skills and games.

Swimming

We attend Birr Pool for swimming lessons for a 6-week block in Term 2. 1st to 6th Classes.

Soccer

5th and 6th Class enter the SPAR 5 aside soccer tournament. 3rd and 4th Class participate in the FUTSAL tournament.

Basketball

Children are organised into teams for lunchtime games. We have had a visitor from Basketball Ireland showing us correct techniques and skills.

Walk

The whole school participates in a Zombie Walk around the locality at Hallowe’en.

Cycling

In June each year, we partake in the Cycle to School Week Initiative. Children also undertake a SESE Cycling trail in the local area. (4th – 6th Class)

Safe Cycle

Galway County Council provides a safe cycle lesson to the school which is held every three years for Senior classes.

Super Troopers

All pupils receive a diary from Super Troopers (Laya Healthcare) at the for a term during the year.

Lenten Fitness Campaign

Children in Senior Classes participate.

Tag Rugby

Ballinasloe Rugby Club provides us with a coach for 6-8 weeks for all classes. Skills and games are taught to all children. They learn the rules for Tag Rugby.

Sports Day

Our Sports Day takes place in June each year.

School Tours

School Tours will include physical activity e.g. Pure Skills Galway, Bay Sports Athlone and Lough Key Forest Park etc.

Equipment

We have a wide range of equipment in our PE storage area including hula hoops, skipping ropes, hurdles, foam javelins, cones, agility ladders and other games.

Rounders

We were very lucky to have Peggy from GAA Rounders with us during our Active week. She taught us all the rules and how to play the game properly.