P.E. Equipment

The Active School Committee members took time to take an inventory and organise equipment neatly in the P.E. storage shed. They also labelled all of the equipment, old and new, so that it would be easier to find. We are now all able to keep track more easily of what we have, which in turn, makes it easier for us to plan out our P.E. lessons.

Active Yard

Here in Ballyconnell NS we ensure our children receive at least TWO movement breaks every day! Our yard has definitely become a more active yard since starting the Active Schools process. This has ensured that all children are engaging in some type pf physical activity during break time!

Firstly we have our ACTIVE SCHOOLS WALKWAY set up which ensures that children ‘Do their talking as they’re walking’. In other words, for those pupils who don’t particularly enjoy the team sports and games, the walkway enables them to still be active during their movement breaks. As well as this, because the children spend time waiting to use the pitch or court during yard time, the walkway enables those children to remain active also!! The blue signs have been purposefully placed at regular intervals throughout the walkway also to allow the children to do different activities once they reach these landmarks. Due to current restrictions and construction work, our walkway hasn’t been in use yet but hopefully we’ll get to use it soon!

Our Active Yard also involves ‘Playground Leaders’ from, not only our Active Schools Committee, but from the senior classes in the school, who play traditional playground games and activities with the younger classes in the school. Examples of the games played are ‘Stuck in the Mud’, ‘Hopscotch’, ‘Duck Duck Goose’ ‘Corner Relay’ ‘Circle Relay’ etc. Depending on the space we have and the weather, whether the pitches are dry/wet, the Playground Leaders initiative works really well!! It not only creates a more structured yard time but it has really improved the activity levels of the students. The leaders themselves have developed their own leadership skills also and absolutely love wearing their Active Schools bib and whistle. It helps to identify who is in charge of leading the games that day. The playground leaders are also in charge of taking their designated class outside, setting up the game and returning all equipment to the P.E. shed when finished.

P.E. Equipment

The Active School Committee members took time to take an inventory and organise equipment neatly in the P.E. storage shed. They also labelled all of the equipment, old and new, so that it would be easier to find. We are now all able to keep track more easily of what we have, which in turn, makes it easier for us to plan out our P.E. lessons.

Active Yard

Here in Ballyconnell NS we ensure our children receive at least TWO movement breaks every day! Our yard has definitely become a more active yard since starting the Active Schools process. This has ensured that all children are engaging in some type pf physical activity during break time!

Firstly we have our ACTIVE SCHOOLS WALKWAY set up which ensures that children ‘Do their talking as they’re walking’. In other words, for those pupils who don’t particularly enjoy the team sports and games, the walkway enables them to still be active during their movement breaks. As well as this, because the children spend time waiting to use the pitch or court during yard time, the walkway enables those children to remain active also!! The blue signs have been purposefully placed at regular intervals throughout the walkway also to allow the children to do different activities once they reach these landmarks. Due to current restrictions and construction work, our walkway hasn’t been in use yet but hopefully we’ll get to use it soon!

Our Active Yard also involves ‘Playground Leaders’ from, not only our Active Schools Committee, but from the senior classes in the school, who play traditional playground games and activities with the younger classes in the school. Examples of the games played are ‘Stuck in the Mud’, ‘Hopscotch’, ‘Duck Duck Goose’ ‘Corner Relay’ ‘Circle Relay’ etc. Depending on the space we have and the weather, whether the pitches are dry/wet, the Playground Leaders initiative works really well!! It not only creates a more structured yard time but it has really improved the activity levels of the students. The leaders themselves have developed their own leadership skills also and absolutely love wearing their Active Schools bib and whistle. It helps to identify who is in charge of leading the games that day. The playground leaders are also in charge of taking their designated class outside, setting up the game and returning all equipment to the P.E. shed when finished.