All classes receive 60 minutes of timetabled Physical Education a week. Each class are also taught a minimum of 5 different PE strands throughout the school year.
Scoil Mhuire seeks to provide a whole school inclusive approach to the teaching of Physical Education. We seek to ensure physical education in our school is built on the principles of variety and diversity. The range of activities available to the children in our school, allow students to engage in a wide variety of movement activities appropriate to the level of development of each child.
Physical Activities:
Walk to School Week
National Walk to School Week takes place this year from September 19th – 23rd 2022. This week is all about celebrating walking as a positive mode for school journeys. We are asking schools to celebrate with us and try to make this the best most inclusive walk to school week yet!
Scoil Mhuire’s Walk to School Day is on Friday 23rd September 2022♻️
Playground Leaders/ Playground Sports Equipment
A number of 6th class children act as playground leaders. They lead children from the younger classes with different activities to do in the yard at lunchtime everyday. This has proven to be very popular with the children and has added a variety of games during free play.
Active School Walkway
We have two active school walkways in operation around the school grounds, one indoor and one outdoor. These have proven to be very popular with all the children throughout the school, whether for engaging in orienteering lessons and treasure hunts outside around or school grounds, or indoors for quick movement breaks throughout the school day.
Active Breaks/Rainy Day Breaks
Along with taking Active Breaks using the trail around the school during the day, pupils also engage in activity breaks on rainy days. A number of different exercises and activities are used such as 12 Days of Fitness, Go Noodle and Jumping Jack Math.
Active Schools Committee
We have members from each class in the school on our Active Schools Committee who are working hard coming up with ideas and implementing the activities in their classes.
School-Community Links
Scoil Mhuire works closely with a number of sporting organisations within the local community whilst working towards our Active School Flag. This year we have had coaching from the G.A.A, F.A.I, Judo, Borrisokane Athletic Club and the I.R.F.U. and DanceItOut Ireland.
Active Schools Week – Physical Activity for Homework
Last year the students in our school received a number of physical activities to complete as part of their homework for the duration of active schools week. Each child was given their own diary sheet to record the physical activity completed each day. For example if children were watching TV after school they were encouraged to do 2-3 minute circuits such as push ups crunches, squats etc. during the commercial breaks. Other activities include “Jump Your Way to Better Health” initiative where children performed a variety of jumping activities at home to help develop muscle and bone strength.
Cross Country Runners
Cross-Curricular Activities
Several cross curricular activities are organised each year as part of our Active Schools Week. Last year pupils went to the local park with their classes for a healthy picnic linked with the SPHE curriculum.
A local walk was organised where pupils learned about nature and local geography while being active.
Taster Sessions of New Activities
As part of our ASW the pupils were provided with taster sessions in a number of different activities such as Judo and Boxercise as mentioned above and athletics. Each year we plan to introduce the children in our school to a whole new range of different sporting activities!
Whole School Fun Event
During last year’s Active School Week the whole school organised a Skipathon. Everyone took part and most children learned a new skill – skipping!
