Active Schools
Active Schools
In Allen NS we understand the importance of physical activity to our overall health and wellbeing. We promote and encourage everyone to find an activity they enjoy and to pursue it.
For the past number of years, staff and pupils have been working to become more physically active in a fun and non-competitive way. In 2019 staff engaged in a process to review and revisit our Whole School Physical Education Plan (PE). We engaged with CPD, collaborated with pupils and parents, and reflected on our teaching methods and equipment.
It was at this time we formed our first Active Schools Committee. The Committee guided us in action planning and identifying a broad range of all-inclusive activities for inclusion in our new plan. We placed a particular emphasis on physical literacy and the fundamental movement skills for our lessons but also sought to identify a range of fun movement activities to be used throughout the teaching day and, playground games to encourage movement during pupil breaks.
We are very fortunate to have an active PTA who fundraised and did a fabulous job in getting playground markings on all our yards.
In 2020, we were delighted to engage with Sports for Schools when launching our new Whole School PE Plan and, were honoured and inspired by Gary Messett, who surprised us with a visit.
School closures in 2020/21 and 2021/22 did slow our progress somewhat but, everyone remained committed and we relaunched ourselves with a series of Active School Tours in June 2022.
In June 2022 our Amber School Committee organised a 5K Colour Dash to raise awareness of the importance of movement for mental health and much needed funds to support the work of that organisation.
Since then we have continued to press ahead and provide our pupils with opportunities to experience as many as possible fun active experiences and to value physical exercise as a wellbeing strategy.
We have greatly benefited from the support of our local Gaelic Football Club – Ballyteague GFC – which promotes the importance of physical activity throughout our local community and, of Kildare GAA. Over the past 2 years we have partnered with School Fitness Ireland who have helped us to develop our gymnastic skills and K Leisure who have supported our efforts to facilitate our pupils to learn to swim.
Our Active School Committee is proud to keep you informed of our initiatives below – we hope you are inspired to join us on our movement journey.
