Active School Flag
We have been involved with the Active School process since 2014 and in June 2019 we received our first Active Flag. Our Active Flag committee is made up of pupils from 3rd-6th Class as well as staff members.
Our Slogan: BE FIT, BE KIND, GET AN ACTIVE MIND!
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Rathnure N.S. is committed to providing high-quality Physical Education to all pupils. All classes receive 60 minutes of formal PE lessons each week. All classes are taught the strands of Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games and Outdoor & Adventure each year. Pupils from 1st-6th class also take part in Aquatics, having swimming lessons each year in the Apex in New Ross. All classes from Junior Infants to 6th complete the Land PAWS Water Safety Programme each year.
Teachers use a variety of resources to guide them in delivering quality PE lessons. PSSI Lesson Plans are widely used throughout the school. We use the Move Well, Move Often programme to teach the Fundamental Movement Skills to all pupils. We have a standardised PE timetable, meaning that all classes will be taught the same strand and Fundamental Movement Skill at the same time during the school year. This will allow for the sharing of resources and ideas among staff and ensure that an equal amount of time is given to each strand.
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PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
- Lunchtime Leagues – we run a Soccer Lunchtime League in the summer term each year. Teams are made up of boys and girls from different classes and matches are played during lunchtime.
- Playground Game of the Month – we have a different playground game each month that pupils can choose to play on the yard if they wish. Our committee members and Playground Leaders teach the game to younger classes at the start of each month and encourage them to play it throughout the month. The game is displayed at each door to the yard as a reminder.
- Playground Leaders – pupils from 5th and 6th class can sign up to become a Playground Leader. They give up one lunch break per week to play games with the Junior Classes, ensuring they are active and happy throughout break time.
- Active School Walkway – We are so lucky to have a strong partnership with Rathnure GAA who allow us to use the walking track which is adjacent to the school.
- Active Breaks – All classes take part in active breaks throughout the school day. This includes Go-Noodle, Bizzy Breaks and a variety of classroom movement ideas. On a wet day, if pupils cannot go outside at break time, extra time will be given to movement breaks in the classroom.
- Tour of Ireland/Europe Challenge/Marathon Kids – we take part in various running initiatives throughout the year to improve our fitness.
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PARTNERSHIPS
- Rathnure GAA – we have a very strong school-club link with our local GAA club. We are very lucky to have access to the indoor arena which we can use for PE.
- Enniscorthy Rugby Club – coaches from Enniscorthy RFC visit the school for a block of time each year to teach rugby skills to our senior classes.
- Cycling Ireland – Senior pupils receive cycling lessons through cycling Ireland in the Summer term each year. Some of our pupils cycle to school every day, we have a bike rack at the front of the school to facilitate cyclists.
- Active Flag Committee – Our Active Flag Committee is made up of pupils from 3rd -6th class as well as staff members. Pupils are given various roles and tasks to carry out throughout the school year such as making announcements at assembly, giving messages to the classrooms on various initiatives, designing posters for the school, carrying out surveys and checking the suggestion box. Our pupils play a very important role in organising and delivering our Active Flag initiatives.
- Achievements – we love to celebrate the achievements of our pupils in physical activity outside school. We encourage pupils to bring in medals/cups etc that they have won and tell us all about it!
- Sports Active Wexford – we work with Sports Active Wexford to deliver programmes to our pupils to enhance their physical development and to upskill staff on various strategies to improve the delivery of PE in our school.
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ACTIVE WEEK
Active week is a week of fun activities held in June, ending each year with our Whole-School penalty shoot-out final. We have a wide variety of activities throughout the week such as a disco in the yard, circuits and fun activities. We like to try out a new activity each year. In the past we have tried Boxing, Zumba Dancing, Cricket, Handball and Karate. We also try to incorporate as much physical activity into our curriculum as possible during this week, for example, doing a Maths Trail or a Minibeast hunt in the school grounds. We have a Suggestion Box in the corridor where pupils and parents may give suggestions on what they would like to see during Active Week or in general to make our school more active. Pupils and staff wear tracksuits during Active Week and Active Homework is given throughout the week. It is always one of the most enjoyable weeks in our school.
Click the link below for our video of Active Week 2022: