Scoil Asicus Naofa was awarded an Active School Flag in 2016. This year we decided to give the current cohort of students the experience of working towards this wonderful flag. Our primary aim is for every child to get involved, to increase/expand their activities and to enjoy themselves.
Every child’s experience of being active is personal to them. By applying for the Active School Flag we are increasing awareness of the value of exercise, the variety of activities which are available and the fun of participating with classmates. There is no emphasis on competition.
Regular “Walk to School” mornings encourage the children to develop the habit of walking whenever it is possible. Families who have to travel a distance to school can park at the church and the children can walk from there. The aim is for children to walk/cycle/park and walk to school on as many days as possible, both before and after school.
Each class has set themselves a target number of kilometres which they aim to walk/jog. A kilometre has been measured around the school grounds so that each class can keep a record of their own progress. These daily walks establish the good habit of regular exercise and the children enjoy the social aspect of walking and chatting with their friends.
We have many parents with expertise in various types of activity and we plan to invite some to share their expertise with the children. This broadens the experiences of the children and may be the start of a new interest for them. This term every class had a wonderful session dancing with Sarah!
We also have students with expertise in many different activities and we plan to ask them to share them with their classmates. Examples of these are tae-twon-do, Irish dancing, gymnastics, kick boxing, karate, break dancing, athletics and yoga.
The value of physical activity in promoting mental health is informally stressed which working towards the Active School Flag. The link between running/walking/dancing/playing games and feeling happy is pointed out as is the value of physical activity in improving low moods.
Our school is very lucky to have an extensive play area which the children avail of at breaktimes. They are also lucky to have visits from outside coaches for soccer, gaelic football, cycling and hurling throughout the year. The one-hour designated for Physical Education takes place outdoors or in our large hall weekly.
To be awarded the Active School Flag we must show that the level of activity of the children has expanded/increased at school. This is challenging in a school which is already very active but it is a challenge we are taking on with great enthusiasm.
The push to gain an Active School Flag will continue in the next school year 2023 – 2024. We hope to make the application in the summer term of 2024.
It is an extremely enjoyable and valuable flag and we look forward to the road ahead where all children. the School Council, staff and parents will strive together to attain it.
Let me finish with our Active School Flag slogan:
“JUMP, SWIM, DANCE, HOP, LET’S GET ACTIVE, DON’T STOP.
RUN, CYCLE, FOOTBALL, GAA,
LET’S GET ACTIVE – HURRAY!”
