Physical Activity
Physical Activity during Break Times
Pupils receive two playground breaks per day - 11.00/11.20 and 12.30/1.00
These breaks are staggered with Junior Infants, Senior Infants, Rang 5+6 going first and Rang 1-4 going second. The staggered times ensure safety protocols within the schools are adhered to.
Two play zones - a concrete basketball court and a standard concrete play area - are in use with both being lined for different age groups. Pupils enjoy running and exercising to their hearts content as they take part in fun playground games. Basketball is played by children in the court while playground markings are present for classes to enjoy in the smaller yard.
We also make use of a 2-acre grass field when the weather permits. There are three sets of football goals for classes to play GAA and soccer while others like running laps around the outside perimeter or simply making up their own fun activities.
These breaks are staggered with Junior Infants, Senior Infants, Rang 5+6 going first and Rang 1-4 going second. The staggered times ensure safety protocols within the schools are adhered to.
Two play zones - a concrete basketball court and a standard concrete play area - are in use with both being lined for different age groups. Pupils enjoy running and exercising to their hearts content as they take part in fun playground games. Basketball is played by children in the court while playground markings are present for classes to enjoy in the smaller yard.
We also make use of a 2-acre grass field when the weather permits. There are three sets of football goals for classes to play GAA and soccer while others like running laps around the outside perimeter or simply making up their own fun activities.
Playground Leaders
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Each year, in the month of September, pupils from senior classes are chosen to act as playground leaders for their younger peers. Having undergone a CPD course on "Playground Games" in the last school year, teachers are well equipped to pass on their knowledge and expertise to their students who in turn will develop a structured programme of events.
Physical activities are organised for lunchtime on a chosen day of the week. A timetable is put in place where two pupils take charge for the first segment of lunch (15mins.) and then are replaced with two new individuals for the second part (15mins.). This ensures that all leaders also get the opportunity to enjoy playing their own classmates each day they are on duty too. The main responsibility is to encourage and engage younger boys and girls in physical activities such as running, chasing, tagging, fun games and enjoying the playground markings. **** While this initiative is not in place in the current academic year, we feel that it is important to highlight the good work done previously by our older pupils - acting as positive role models - for the younger children in the school.**** |
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Physical Activity throughout the School Day
Children need a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Up to 3/4 of that time is provided for pupils at school. Break (10mins) and lunch (30mins.) make up the bulk of this time with a short physical activity break (5-10mins.) making up the rest. Taking into account that P.E. lessons may take place once or twice per week along with P.E. homework once per week (see Physical Education section of website for more details) and already the one hour of physical activity is reached at school alone.
Details of specific physical activities take take place during the school day are explained below:
Details of specific physical activities take take place during the school day are explained below:
Active School Walkway
On Friday 26th March 2022, we launched our new Active Walkway in conjunction with Get Ireland Walking and the Active School Flag.
The walkway route will be used to help energise the school day, support the PE programme and promote active learning across a wide variety of subject areas.
The current 225m track makes use of all the hard surfaces around the school and can be used all year round. We hope to develop a longer version of the circuit to include the sports field in the summer months. We also look forward to incorporating technology into some of the control points in keeping with modern IT advancements.
Pupils in Rang 4 created the wonderful launch video above. It has received widespread praise from the ASF and Get Ireland Walking teams.
Below, is a selection of photos taken on the day of the launch. Pupils received an Easter treat along the journey which aptly marked the special occasion.
The walkway route will be used to help energise the school day, support the PE programme and promote active learning across a wide variety of subject areas.
The current 225m track makes use of all the hard surfaces around the school and can be used all year round. We hope to develop a longer version of the circuit to include the sports field in the summer months. We also look forward to incorporating technology into some of the control points in keeping with modern IT advancements.
Pupils in Rang 4 created the wonderful launch video above. It has received widespread praise from the ASF and Get Ireland Walking teams.
Below, is a selection of photos taken on the day of the launch. Pupils received an Easter treat along the journey which aptly marked the special occasion.
On the left is a page included in the local media news while on the right are a series of photos from the walkway - click to enlarge.
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The Daily Mile
Pupils in all class levels run the Daily Mile on a regular basis. With the current staggered break times it means that the morning can be longer than normal for classes in the new section of the school with an extended afternoon for those in the old building; as a result, the Daily Mile has become a must for all classes.
The rules are simple - run, jog or walk a mile every single day. Not only does it improve fitness levels and helps to promote a healthy and active lifestyle, pupils are also more engaged and ready for work on returning to class. It is a win win for everyone!
The Daily Mile was officially launched in May 2018 and has been used as a short physical activity break ever since.
The rules are simple - run, jog or walk a mile every single day. Not only does it improve fitness levels and helps to promote a healthy and active lifestyle, pupils are also more engaged and ready for work on returning to class. It is a win win for everyone!
The Daily Mile was officially launched in May 2018 and has been used as a short physical activity break ever since.
Decrease Sedentary Time
Being "sedentary" means sitting, or lying down, for long periods of time. Between eating times, sitting at desks, doing homework, working on a laptop, gaming etc. it can really add up in children's day-to-day lives.
We have decided to do something about it! Each class has discussed and agreed upon a number of actions to decrease sedentary time. Physical activities mentioned above such as the new Active Walkway and Daily Mile are obvious targets here. Other suggestions classes came up with ranged from jumping jacks and general Bizzy Break movements in the younger classes to more extravagant ideas such as chair push ups, stand up while reading and even get rid of chairs altogether amongst the older pupils!
All recommendations were noted and added to regular favourites already in place. We created Active Jars with a variety of activities named on lollipop sticks differing for both the top and bottom ends of the school. Each class received an activity jar and a time/ no. reps jar. Also included is a "Teacher" stick to add an element of fun. If this stick is drawn only the teacher has to perform the chosen exercise.
We have decided to do something about it! Each class has discussed and agreed upon a number of actions to decrease sedentary time. Physical activities mentioned above such as the new Active Walkway and Daily Mile are obvious targets here. Other suggestions classes came up with ranged from jumping jacks and general Bizzy Break movements in the younger classes to more extravagant ideas such as chair push ups, stand up while reading and even get rid of chairs altogether amongst the older pupils!
All recommendations were noted and added to regular favourites already in place. We created Active Jars with a variety of activities named on lollipop sticks differing for both the top and bottom ends of the school. Each class received an activity jar and a time/ no. reps jar. Also included is a "Teacher" stick to add an element of fun. If this stick is drawn only the teacher has to perform the chosen exercise.
Active Break Every Day Challenge
Progress was tracked on the challenge chart with classes encouraged to stick them to the door as highlighted by both of the Rang 4 - Gorm and Buí - below:
In the months of November/ December, every class completes the Active Break Every Day challenge, as a whole school initiative, over four consecutive weeks. The format of the challenge is simple - take a break from the books for a short period of time each day and become physically active.
There are 4 options to choose from:
In the months of November/ December, every class completes the Active Break Every Day challenge, as a whole school initiative, over four consecutive weeks. The format of the challenge is simple - take a break from the books for a short period of time each day and become physically active.
There are 4 options to choose from:
- Running break
- Dance break
- Exercise break
- Walkway * new
Run a Day Challenge
The Run a Day Challenge is a very similar initiative to the Active Break Every Day Challenge - the aim is to get kids up and active each and every day over an extended period of time. The event takes place in the month of March for four consecutive weeks and progress is recorded on a class chart.
Each school year we work towards earning a Blue Star Flag (European culture and the EU) and what better way to link our European enterprise with our active flag - and combining running with learning - than to take on the "Run Around Europe" Challenge.
Our pupils are all used to running from our regular participation in the Daily Mile so jogging to the various capital cities of wonderful Europe was not going to be a problem. Each lap of the basketball court ran is classed as 1km and with pupils in each class running anywhere from 5-15 laps, we weren't long in racking up the kilometres.
Rang 6 took control of the initiative regularly going from class to class asking for a progress update and marking it on the Run Around Europe map.
We enjoyed running to many of these famous landmarks and making our way around Europe.
Each school year we work towards earning a Blue Star Flag (European culture and the EU) and what better way to link our European enterprise with our active flag - and combining running with learning - than to take on the "Run Around Europe" Challenge.
Our pupils are all used to running from our regular participation in the Daily Mile so jogging to the various capital cities of wonderful Europe was not going to be a problem. Each lap of the basketball court ran is classed as 1km and with pupils in each class running anywhere from 5-15 laps, we weren't long in racking up the kilometres.
Rang 6 took control of the initiative regularly going from class to class asking for a progress update and marking it on the Run Around Europe map.
We enjoyed running to many of these famous landmarks and making our way around Europe.
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Playground Markings
During the summer of 2018, new playground markings were created in the front yard. The markings consist of two hopscotch zones, a mighty maze, a Maths snail and a fun horse-shoe shaped trail. On return to school in September pupils were full of excitement to walk, run, hop and jump their way around the playground.
Rainy Day Activities
On days when children are unable to play outdoors, teachers incorporate extended classroom-based physical breaks into the school day. Pupils exercise to activities such as:
- 10@10 videos provided firstly by RTÉ Jr. and more recently by the Active School Flag team
- Go Noodle software,
- PDST's "Movement in the Classroom"
- HSE's excellent resource "Get Active in the Classroom" - in particular we love pg.40 - A Journey through Kerry
During lockdown, teachers have been incorporating physical activity into the virtual classroom during Zoom classes using online interactives - it has proved very popular with pupils. Why not try them out yourself!
Physical Activity throughout the School Year
Outside of the hugely popular Active School Week (see section 4 of ASF website), in Dromclough we make use of many special occasions throughout the year to include physical activity opportunities that may arise. These annual calendar events include:
We also compete in a range of sporting competitions each and every year namely:
The number of physical activities that we take part in throughout the school year here in Dromclough is hard to match! The amount of photos and events are too many to have on just one page and therefore we decided to make separate tabs for each year of our most recent history. Please make sure to have a look...
- European Week of Sport (Sept.)
- Maths Week (Oct.)
- Active Halloween (Oct.)
- Active Christmas (Dec.)
- Seachtain na Gaeilge (March)
- Easter Exercises (March/April)
- School Tours (May/June)
We also compete in a range of sporting competitions each and every year namely:
- Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Football (Boys and Girls) and Hurling/ Camogie
- Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Cross Country Running
- Primary School County Track and Field Athletics
- FAI 5-a-side Soccer
- County Spikeball Championships
- Chess Tournament
- Swimming Gala
The number of physical activities that we take part in throughout the school year here in Dromclough is hard to match! The amount of photos and events are too many to have on just one page and therefore we decided to make separate tabs for each year of our most recent history. Please make sure to have a look...