Active School continues
This year we have the addition of a tug of war rope which has proved to be a fun filled sporting activity for everyone!! We have also started into our walk a mile with a smile and our DEAR time (Drop Everything and Run) has seen us out running laps of the school yard! And our Drop Everything and Dance has everyone up and moving around the classroom to music.
More activities to follow!
This year we have the addition of a tug of war rope which has proved to be a fun filled sporting activity for everyone!! We have also started into our walk a mile with a smile and our DEAR time (Drop Everything and Run) has seen us out running laps of the school yard! And our Drop Everything and Dance has everyone up and moving around the classroom to music.
More activities to follow!
Feel Good Friday!
This week as part of our active School we had a feel good Friday disco in the school hall after lunch. The girls really showed some good moves on the dance floor and we are all definitely fitter going into the weekend.
This week as part of our active School we had a feel good Friday disco in the school hall after lunch. The girls really showed some good moves on the dance floor and we are all definitely fitter going into the weekend.
Team up Thursday
Our active leaders led some team activities during big lunch which they devised themselves. Well done team leaders....great fun.
Our active leaders led some team activities during big lunch which they devised themselves. Well done team leaders....great fun.
Our fun filled Tug of War competitions
Walking a mile with lots of smiles
Raising our Active Flag
Well done Curragh GNS!!!
We are an active school!
This year we are excited to become an even more active school as we strive to get our Active Flag. Exercise and physical education is so important for both the body and mind. Even the little changes make a big difference. This year we will continue to be active and get fit and are looking forward to documenting and sharing our progress with you throughout the year.
Active Flag to date:
We have established a committee of three teachers and helping students to help put our active plans into action. However, all class teachers and students will work as a team to achieve our active goals. We held an active week from the 18th to the 23rd of September and held many activities including:
1. Walk a mile with a Smile
2. D.E.A.R time (Drop Everything and Run)
3. Walk to Wales-493km-completed on a whole school basis
4. Active homework
5. Teacher vs Pupils basketball shoot out
Physical Education
Curriculum and Active Flag Plan
Our P.E curriculum consists of 6 strands all of which will be targeted by each teacher individually. Every class receives at least 1 hour of timetabled PE per week and all strands are covered over the year. However, there are some whole school and extra initiatives which are in place to further enhance our active experiences. These are our strands:
- Athletics
- Dance
- Gymnastics
- Games
- Outdoor and adventure activities
- Aquatics
Our whole school initiatives for the Active Flag:
Some of these are already in existence and others will be introduced on a gradual basis.
Gymnastics-with the aid of the expertise of Imelda - our focus strand this year
Aquatics-Every Wednesday throughout the school year, for each class for six weeks
Games- Skipping workshop for each class with school funds invested in more skipping ropes of varying types.
Skipping games at break time and buddying up to share new skills.
Rugby- Collaborating with Newbridge RFC running Tag Rugby workshops for 5th & 6th class
Athletics- Walk a Mile with a Smile, School Sports Day
Outdoor and adventure activities- Cycling workshops for 5th and 6th classes for 6 weeks
Orienteering
Outdoor Adventure Day with the Cadets
Dance - we had a taster session of Zumba during Active Week for Try it Out Thursday as suggested by the pupils and it was continued after this as it was very successful. Also we purchased new Aerobic Steps which have gone down a treat especially with the older classes.
After School activities- Basketball and camogie, we will also be participating in blitzes and competitive games with other schools.
D.E.A.R Time- Drop Everything And Run
Mile with a smile 2 to 3 times per week
Walk to Wales - Whole School Initiative during European Week of Sport
10 @ 10 - Fitness Breaks throughout the day using Go Noodle/Operation Transformation/The Fitness Marshall/Just Dance etc..
Active School Week- September and April
Taster Sessions - Zumba, Aerobics, Tag Rubgy
Active Homework - Every Thursday Active Homework
Rainy Day Activities - We are fortunate to have outdoor sheds so the children will always get fresh air and exercise at break and lunchtimes!
Playground Stations - Active Leaders set up stations where all our school can come and join in. We have a Skipping Station, a Games Station(Basketball/soccer etc..) and a Playground Games Station. Active Leaders distribute/set up PE equipment needed for these stations.
Walk and Talk/ Chat and Trot - Anyone who doesn't want to participate in our Playground Stations can group together and "walk and talk" or "chat and trot".
Move to the Music - Introducing Monday Morning Jam and Feel Good Friday. On Mondays and Fridays Break and Lunchtimes, we will play music on the yard. Every month we will choose a dance/s for a whole school Flash Mob.
Suggestions for Parents to support our active goals
- Provide opportunities for your child to participate in a sport of activity they enjoy
- Encourage active toys for birthdays/Christmas E.G. bikes, skipping ropes etc.
- Play with your child
- Limit TV, Tablet and phone time
- Encourage active play e.g.chasing, races etc.
- Practicing dance moves for flash mob, provided on school website under the Active School Tab.
Gymnastics - Our Priority Strand
We chose to prioritise the Gymnastics Strand this year. We discussed this as a staff and we identified this strand as the one that needed most attention. We were lucky enough to have the expertise of Imelda (a parent of one of the children in the school) at hand. She agreed to take each class for gymnastics and guide us in becoming more confident in teaching gymnastics. She also graded the children at the end of the term. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the experience and all the teachers agreed that they gained so much from the experience.
Here at the Curragh Girls N.S we are striving to promote healthy eating and exercise. As they say ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, equals Healthy Child!!’
We have introduced various ideas over the last few months since joining the Active Flag Programme– Active Breaks during the school day, Yard Games, D.E.A.R/D.E.A.D., Skipping Workshop, Cycle Workshop, Tag Rubgy, Gymnastics, Walk a Mile with a Smile and so on. We feel that the children are far more active in school and hope this is also reflected at home.
As a parent, you play an important role in helping your child to be active by being active yourself, finding fun ways for the family to be active together and setting limits on screen time.
Here are some suggestions:
- Cycle your bike
- Kick a ball with someone
- Ride your scooter
- Dance to your favourite song
- Skipping
- Create your own obstacle course
- Ride your bike
- Go for a walk
Here are some suggestions:
- Cycle your bike
- Kick a ball with someone
- Ride your scooter
- Dance to your favourite song
- Skipping
- Create your own obstacle course
- Ride your bike
- Go for a walk
As part of the Active Flag application we are participating in the Food Dudes Programme during January. According to research, children must taste something 4 times before they can decide whether they like it or not. During the programme children will be introduced to 4 vegetables and 4 fruit. Running concurrently with our own Healthy Eating Policy in the school, we hope this will further promote the concept of 5 portions of Fruit or Veg a day!
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Active Calendar |
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September - European Week of Sport
Halloween - Witches Walk
Christmas - Peace Prom Songs and Actions
January - We bought new aerobic steps and one of the teachers gave a taster session to the older classes
February - Active Day
Easter - Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Bonnet Parade
April - Active Week 23rd - 27th ( Zumba for Try it Out Thursday)
Summer - Sports Day, School Tour, 0utdoor Adventure Day with the Cadets, Family Fun Day
ACTIVE HOMEWORK
Active Flag Board
Our Active Flag Board is looking bright and colourful, displaying the new sports that have been introduced to the school since September. We are continuing to experience new types of physical activity. In class, teachers and students alike are highlighting how exercise and healthy eating are essential to a healthy mind.
'Seven Days without Exercise makes one Weak'
Next the whole school 'Walked a Mile with a Smile'. It was a cold, frosty, snowy morning but that didn't stop us! The walk warmed up our bodies and brains and got us ready for a great day of sport, fun and learning!!
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The Soccer Blitz was a great success!!
Look at the girls in action, next stop the Irish Ladies Soccer Team
Finally we ended the day with a Whole School Dance Off
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To celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge we incorporated PE into our celebrations. The Active Leaders were involved in organising a CÉILÍ. The senior girls demonstrated the dances and took it in turns to buddy up with the younger children and show them the steps. We all worked up quIte a sweat! If you are not a fan of team sports, why not try dancing!
In an attempt to keep our school active we have continued with our incentives and are creating new ones! We are still ‘Walking and Smiling’ and the whole school have completed 6 weeks of camogie training. First and second class are also going swimming every week. Third class upwards have been participating in basketball and camogie after school and blitzes during school. Our older girls also participated in a soccer blitz. Well done to everyone!
Our Active Team
During lunch times our Active Leaders set up stations where all our school can come and join in. So far they have a Skipping Station, a Basketball Station and a Playground Games Station. Active Leaders distribute/set up PE equipment needed for these stations. Anyone who doesn't want to participate can group together and "walk and talk" or "chat and trot". We are having great fun so well done to our active leaders, who have been super organised and very encouraging!
Our Active Team
During lunch times our Active Leaders set up stations where all our school can come and join in. So far they have a Skipping Station, a Basketball Station and a Playground Games Station. Active Leaders distribute/set up PE equipment needed for these stations. Anyone who doesn't want to participate can group together and "walk and talk" or "chat and trot". We are having great fun so well done to our active leaders, who have been super organised and very encouraging!
Our Active Committee were very busy organising Active Week. We held numerous meetings and brainstormed new activities to try out.
Active Week Timetable
Motivation Monday
Monday Jam
10 at 10 / The Fitness Marhsall/ Go Noodle
Walk a Mile with a Smile (we can have a group of speed walkers if some older girls are up to the challenge)
Target Tuesday
Walk a Mile with a Smile
10 at 10 / The Fitness Marhsall/ Go Noodle
Penalty shootout against the Teachers
Jersey/T-shirt Day: 1 euro per pupil (money will go towards some new active equipment for the playground)
Weaving Wednesday
Walk a Mile with a Smile
10 at 10 / The Fitness Marhsall/ Go Noodle
Dodge Ball
Try it out Thursday
Walk a Mile with a Smile
10 at 10 / The Fitness Marhsall/ Go Noodle
Zumba Sessions
Feel Good Friday
Walk a Mile with a Smile
10 at 10 / The Fitness Marhsall/ Go Noodle
Aerobics
Classes perform their Active Songs
Teachers aspire to find cross curricular links with PE during this week e.g. active song – Music, English Writing, PE, Drama
CHILDREN CAN WEAR SCHOOL TRACKSUIT ALL WEEK!!!
Active homework to replace written homework, WOO HOO!!
Motivation Monday
Monday Jam
10 at 10 / The Fitness Marhsall/ Go Noodle
Walk a Mile with a Smile (we can have a group of speed walkers if some older girls are up to the challenge)
Target Tuesday
Walk a Mile with a Smile
10 at 10 / The Fitness Marhsall/ Go Noodle
Penalty shootout against the Teachers
Jersey/T-shirt Day: 1 euro per pupil (money will go towards some new active equipment for the playground)
Weaving Wednesday
Walk a Mile with a Smile
10 at 10 / The Fitness Marhsall/ Go Noodle
Dodge Ball
Try it out Thursday
Walk a Mile with a Smile
10 at 10 / The Fitness Marhsall/ Go Noodle
Zumba Sessions
Feel Good Friday
Walk a Mile with a Smile
10 at 10 / The Fitness Marhsall/ Go Noodle
Aerobics
Classes perform their Active Songs
Teachers aspire to find cross curricular links with PE during this week e.g. active song – Music, English Writing, PE, Drama
CHILDREN CAN WEAR SCHOOL TRACKSUIT ALL WEEK!!!
Active homework to replace written homework, WOO HOO!!
Our Active Songs
Our Second Active Week was a great success. The girls had a brilliant time! All the staff and pupils participated and enjoyed it thoroughly. From Speed Walking to Dodge Ball and Penalty Shootouts to Zumba, this week gave each child an opportunity to try out activities they mightn't usually participate in. From both the teachers and pupils perspective, it was important to include solo and as well as team activities.
This week also gave a chance to create cross curricular links with Physical Education. Each class engaged in the creative song writing process in English, exploring beat/rhythm/pitch/dynmaics in Music and performing the Haka as Gaeilge. Healthy Eating is a continuous topic which arises in our SESE and SPHE Lessons. We engaged in the Food Dudes Programme before Easter and we will implement the Additional Food Dudes Programme in early June.
Prior to Active Week, the Active Committee carried out surveys on new activities the girls would like to try, activities they already participate in, suggestions for yard activities etc.... They collated the information and this informed our Active Week and planning for PE for the rest of the year.
This week also gave a chance to create cross curricular links with Physical Education. Each class engaged in the creative song writing process in English, exploring beat/rhythm/pitch/dynmaics in Music and performing the Haka as Gaeilge. Healthy Eating is a continuous topic which arises in our SESE and SPHE Lessons. We engaged in the Food Dudes Programme before Easter and we will implement the Additional Food Dudes Programme in early June.
Prior to Active Week, the Active Committee carried out surveys on new activities the girls would like to try, activities they already participate in, suggestions for yard activities etc.... They collated the information and this informed our Active Week and planning for PE for the rest of the year.
PENALTY SHOOTOUT
Weaving Wednesday
Try it Out Thursday - Zumba
Feel Good Friday
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Move to the Music |
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Introducing Monday Morning Jam and Feel Good Friday. Every Monday and Friday Break and Lunchtimes, we will play music on the yard. Every month we will choose a dance/s for a whole school Flash Mob. This month we chose Waka Waka by Shakira and Happy by Pharrell Williams. Here's the link to the dances if you want to practice at home!
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Partnerships
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- Our number one partnership is of course that between the teachers and students. Through our Active Flag Committee we have surveyed the students, taken on board their ideas and as a whole school project implemented many new initiatives.
- This year we have established links with the local Camogie Club Moorefield and are fortunate enough to have Camogie Superstar Derbhile visiting the school to host training sessions with the girls.
- For our Priority Strand Gymnastics, Imelda ( one of the parents) was on hand to aid both the teachers and students in becoming more confident with the Gymnastics Strand. Each child was graded at the end of the term.
- The Army are kindly allowing access to the pool so all students can attend swimming lessons. They also have given us access to the Astro Turf and the Cadets are organising an Outdoor Adventure Day in May.
- As part of our Try it Out Thursday during Active Week in April we linked up with a nearby Leisure Centre and a Zumba Tutor visited. The girls loved the Zumba Class and on their request we are currently having a 6 week Zumba Blast!
- We also partnered up with the Local Rubgy Club to give the senior classes taster sessions of Tag Rubgy
Thank You to all of the above for their time, expertise and help. It is greatly appreciated!!
- This year we have established links with the local Camogie Club Moorefield and are fortunate enough to have Camogie Superstar Derbhile visiting the school to host training sessions with the girls.
- For our Priority Strand Gymnastics, Imelda ( one of the parents) was on hand to aid both the teachers and students in becoming more confident with the Gymnastics Strand. Each child was graded at the end of the term.
- The Army are kindly allowing access to the pool so all students can attend swimming lessons. They also have given us access to the Astro Turf and the Cadets are organising an Outdoor Adventure Day in May.
- As part of our Try it Out Thursday during Active Week in April we linked up with a nearby Leisure Centre and a Zumba Tutor visited. The girls loved the Zumba Class and on their request we are currently having a 6 week Zumba Blast!
- We also partnered up with the Local Rubgy Club to give the senior classes taster sessions of Tag Rubgy
Thank You to all of the above for their time, expertise and help. It is greatly appreciated!!