Active School Flag
We are delighted to announce that we are currently working to renew the Active School Flag. The Active School Flag (ASF) is a Department of Education initiative which recognises schools that strive to achieve a physically active school community by awarding them with an Active School Flag. The Active Flag was originally awarded to our school in the 2014 – 2015 school year.
To learn more about this initiative visit the Active School Flag website: www.ActiveSchoolFlag.ie
AS AN ACTIVE SCHOOL WE AIM TO:
1. Adhere to DES guidelines regarding PE timetable provision for all students.
2. Teach a broad and balanced PE curriculum.
3. Inform and invite the whole school community to participate in the ASF process.
4. Self- evaluate current provision in terms of PE, Physical Activity and Partnerships.
5. Plan, Implement and monitor improvements for each of the aforementioned areas.
6 .Organise an ‘Active School Week’ as part of the annual school calendar.
*This years Active School Week will take place from the 10th -14th of June*
Physical Education
It is recommended that children engage with 60 minutes of physical activity every day. All classes in our school are given the opportunity to complete one hour of P.E. in school a week. Pupils have one P.E. slot per week in the hall and one slot per week outdoors. Pupils are encouraged to keep active out in the school yard also. Some new equipment has been added to the school active zones as well as the football and basketball areas. There are also ideas for engaging with physical activity on the school website.
Our school has a standardised P.E. plan. This means that all classes will engage with the same strands at the same time throughout the year. As per D.E.S. guidelines, pupils will cover the following strands:
Strands and strand units:
Athletics
Running
Jumping
Throwing
Understanding and appreciation of athletics
Dance
Exploration, creation and performance of dance
Understanding and appreciation of dance
Games
Sending, receiving and travelling
Creating and playing games
Understanding and appreciation of games
Gymnastics
Movement
Understanding and appreciation of gymnastics
Outdoor & Adventure
Walking
Orienteering
Outdoor challenges
Understanding & appreciation of outdoor and adventure activities
Physical Activity
It is recommended that children and adults engage with 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Throughout the school day, physical activity is promoted. Classes engage with active breaks e.g. Go Noodle and 10 @ 10. While engaging with the Active School Flag Process, our school have completed a range of initiatives. Whole school events include the spooky ‘Hallowe’en Parade’, ‘Santa Dash’, ‘Lá Fhéile Pádraig Mórshiúil’, Céilí Mór and the School Sponsored Walk for example. It has been wonderful to welcome parents on these occasions also. We are very lucky in St. Fiachra’s that we have a wonderful coach, Seán, who trains each class with G.A.A. skills at different times during the year.
Partnerships
During the school year, we aim to raise awareness of the different ways people can be active. In order to do this, we invite a variety of people to our school to demonstrate different ways to be active. Throughout the school year, we invite coaches to give taster sessions to the children in our school.
Each child participates in G.A.A. skills (football and hurling) for a block of six weeks during the year.
Robert, a parent in our school has given a taster kick-boxing session to all the children in our school.
Children in 2nd class engaged with Collette from Athletics Ireland and learnt some new Athletics skills.
Children in first class engaged with a taster ‘Tug-of-War’ session. We now have a tug-of-war rope which will be used in P.E. sessions.
Please keep an eye on our school notice board – there is lots of information there about Junior Park runs and after school activities in the local area.
Keep in Touch
We look forward to keeping you informed on our journey and welcome any suggestions you may have.
Keep an eye on our ‘Active board’ located in the P.E hall for upcoming events.
Please feel free to use our ‘Active School’ suggestion box located at the main reception in our school.
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