Statistics tell us that currently, 80% of Irish children are not active enough. Research proves that active children focus and concentrate better so an active school day has educational as well as health benefits. In the 2018-2019 school year we focused on making our school a more active school.
For the 2019-2020 and the 2020-2021 school year we are continuing this initiative and engaging in some of the Active School Initiatives to make our school more active in a fun and inclusive way.
For the 2019-2020 and the 2020-2021 school year we are continuing this initiative and engaging in some of the Active School Initiatives to make our school more active in a fun and inclusive way.
Physical Education
All pupils are provided with a minimum of 60 minutes timetabled PE per week. Discretionary time is also used towards PE
These are our P.E. days and each PE day 30-40 minutes are allocated to P.E.
Junior room on Mondays and Thursdays
Middle Room Wednesdays and Thursdays
Senior Room Tuesdays and Thursdays
Children wear their school track suit on these days.
We prioritised Games as the PE strand for further development.
To strengthen our delivery of this PE strand teachers completed PDST workshops in this area
P.E. was included on the agenda of staff meetings following workshops and handouts etc were emailed to all staff.
Local GAA and camogie coaches visited the school to help with the delivery of the games strand. In October 2018 we welcomed David O'Dea G.A.A. and in May/June 2019 and in February/March 2020 we had hurling training with Mike Chawke and Seamus Twomey. Míle buíochas to our three coaches. Also camogie and GAA coaches will visit the school during Active School Week 2021 to help strengthen our delivery of the games strand.
All staff use Games lessons from PE Curriculum, PSSI lessons and Move Well Move Often
These are our P.E. days and each PE day 30-40 minutes are allocated to P.E.
Junior room on Mondays and Thursdays
Middle Room Wednesdays and Thursdays
Senior Room Tuesdays and Thursdays
Children wear their school track suit on these days.
We prioritised Games as the PE strand for further development.
To strengthen our delivery of this PE strand teachers completed PDST workshops in this area
P.E. was included on the agenda of staff meetings following workshops and handouts etc were emailed to all staff.
Local GAA and camogie coaches visited the school to help with the delivery of the games strand. In October 2018 we welcomed David O'Dea G.A.A. and in May/June 2019 and in February/March 2020 we had hurling training with Mike Chawke and Seamus Twomey. Míle buíochas to our three coaches. Also camogie and GAA coaches will visit the school during Active School Week 2021 to help strengthen our delivery of the games strand.
All staff use Games lessons from PE Curriculum, PSSI lessons and Move Well Move Often
PAWS
Water Safety Ireland has created a free educational resource for primary schools called PAWS (Primary Aquatics Water Safety). It teaches children how to be safe around water in homes, farms, pools, beaches and on our waterways. Children in the Junior Room completed the PAWS programme in May 2021 as part of the PE & SPHE curriculums. Because the children engaged so well in the programme, they each received a certificate Well done boys and girls.
PE Equipment
Our P.E. equipment is stored in our P.E. pre-fab. In March 2021, we carried out a PE equipment audit. PE equipment was counted and a record of all PE equipment in the school was taken.
The audit allowed us to see what equipment we already have in the school and what equipment we needed to get. As a result of the audit, we invested in some new equipment for the school. This included new sponge balls and skipping ropes.
The audit allowed us to see what equipment we already have in the school and what equipment we needed to get. As a result of the audit, we invested in some new equipment for the school. This included new sponge balls and skipping ropes.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Active School Committee
Each year children from 4th to 6th class are invited to join our Active School Committee. Each committee member must attend frequent meetings with the Active School co-ordinators. During these meetings, the committee members give suggestions/opinions on how we can promote our school and how we can become more active. They also have the important role of delivering all the important information from these meetings to their class teacher and fellow pupils.
Each year children from 4th to 6th class are invited to join our Active School Committee. Each committee member must attend frequent meetings with the Active School co-ordinators. During these meetings, the committee members give suggestions/opinions on how we can promote our school and how we can become more active. They also have the important role of delivering all the important information from these meetings to their class teacher and fellow pupils.
Active School Committee 2020-2021
Physical Activity: Playground Leaders 2019-2020
Our 3rd to 6th class pupils really enjoy when they get the opportunity to take on the role of playground leader with the younger classes. These classes have a rota system so we have different leaders playing games with the younger classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. It is wonderful to see all the children active and playing games together at breaktime.
Granagh National School Playground Leader Rules
- A Playground Leader should plan the game beforehand and think about the equipment they will need
- A Playground Leader should explain clearly how to play the game
- A Playground Leader should be fair and helpful
- A Playground Leader is in charge of the game but should not be bossy or rude.
- If there are any arguments try to sort them out. If the argument cannot be sorted a Playground Leader must call the teacher on yard duty to help.
Physical Activity:“Do your talking as you’re walking”
We encouraged the children to “Do their talking as they were walking” during break-times. The Active School Committee designed a poster to promote this.
Physical Activity :Active Break Every Day
This was a 4 week whole school initiative which ran from November 25th - December 20th 2019. The children and school staff were given an active break every day in the classroom for approx. 10 minutes.
Physical Activity :Active Break Every Day
This was a 4 week whole school initiative which ran from November 25th - December 20th 2019. The children and school staff were given an active break every day in the classroom for approx. 10 minutes.
All our activities during 2020/2021 school year complied with the COVID-safety guidelines
Active Break Challenge 2020
It’s not easy for adults or children to sit for long periods of time without getting restless.
So from November 9th to December 4th 2020 every class in Granagh N.S.took part in the Active Break Challenge.This meant that every class committed to taking an Active Break Every Day over the four weeks.Classes tried out different activity breaks including running breaks, dance breaks and exercise breaks.
See some of the children completing their exercise break below
Active Walkway
All our activities during 2020/2021 school year complied with the COVID-safety guidelines
Our Active Walkway was tested out by all the classes on Feel Good Friday May 28th 2021.The children said that they enjoyed the walkway. It allowed them to Practice their Maths/writing skills outside in a fun way while being active with their friends, use their orienteering skills and develop their leaderships skills. The walkway goes around the school grounds and takes in the different yards and field at the back of the school. The route is 329 metres in length. From now on all classes will avail of the Walkway at their discretion. We are looking forward to Active Week 2021, and no doubt the walkway will be as fun and active as always! A special thanks to all staff who helped with the creation of the Walkway
All our activities during 2020/2021 school year complied with the COVID-safety guidelines
Our Active Walkway was tested out by all the classes on Feel Good Friday May 28th 2021.The children said that they enjoyed the walkway. It allowed them to Practice their Maths/writing skills outside in a fun way while being active with their friends, use their orienteering skills and develop their leaderships skills. The walkway goes around the school grounds and takes in the different yards and field at the back of the school. The route is 329 metres in length. From now on all classes will avail of the Walkway at their discretion. We are looking forward to Active Week 2021, and no doubt the walkway will be as fun and active as always! A special thanks to all staff who helped with the creation of the Walkway
Physical Activity: European Be Active Day September 27th 2019
On Friday September 27th we joined with other European schools by encouraging the children to run or walk the perimeter of the school field/schoolyard.
Physical Activity: Hallow Olympics
On the day of our Halloween break October 25th 2018, all the boys and girls dressed up as Halloween characters. We decided to celebrate this day through organising a Halloween Olympics event. Each class was given games and challenges to complete. We had a very enjoyable day!!
Physical Activity: Funky Friday
From January- April 2019 every Friday at lunch break we had music playing in the schoolyard to encourage the children to be active.
From January- April 2019 every Friday at lunch break we had music playing in the schoolyard to encourage the children to be active.
Physical Activity: Run around Ireland 2021
All our activities during 2020/2021 school year complied with the COVID-safety guidelines
12/04/2021- 07/05/2021
All classes took part in this 4-Week Running Challenge. We found it was a great way to bring learning outdoors, to energise the school day, and to provide pupils with opportunities to develop good running techniques while learning about Ireland. The Junior room ran 110 km to Carrauntoohil in Co. Kerry. The middle room ran 281 km to Newgrange and 158 km to Kilkenny Castle. The senior room took 2 running breaks, and ran 80km to the Aran Islands, 70 km to the Blarney Stone and 186 km to Hook Head Lighthouse. All the children really enjoyed this challenge.
All our activities during 2020/2021 school year complied with the COVID-safety guidelines
12/04/2021- 07/05/2021
All classes took part in this 4-Week Running Challenge. We found it was a great way to bring learning outdoors, to energise the school day, and to provide pupils with opportunities to develop good running techniques while learning about Ireland. The Junior room ran 110 km to Carrauntoohil in Co. Kerry. The middle room ran 281 km to Newgrange and 158 km to Kilkenny Castle. The senior room took 2 running breaks, and ran 80km to the Aran Islands, 70 km to the Blarney Stone and 186 km to Hook Head Lighthouse. All the children really enjoyed this challenge.
Physical Activity: Run around Europe
In January 2019 for four weeks each class teacher took their class out running laps of the school pitch in order to reach a European Capital city. This was very worthwhile and it ensured that the children were getting active breaks throughout the school day. Junior Infants to Second class ran to London, 3rd and 4th class reached Lisbon and 5th and 6th class reached Monaco.
In January 2019 for four weeks each class teacher took their class out running laps of the school pitch in order to reach a European Capital city. This was very worthwhile and it ensured that the children were getting active breaks throughout the school day. Junior Infants to Second class ran to London, 3rd and 4th class reached Lisbon and 5th and 6th class reached Monaco.
Physical Activity: Operation Transformation 10 @ 10
In February 2019 to coincide with RTE's Operation Transformation we had active breaks in the classroom every. We enjoyed a whole school approach to the 10 @ 10. The Active Flag committee went to each classroom before the break to remind the teachers and the staff. We really enjoyed these breaks and found that we were able to focus better on our work after an active break.
In February 2019 to coincide with RTE's Operation Transformation we had active breaks in the classroom every. We enjoyed a whole school approach to the 10 @ 10. The Active Flag committee went to each classroom before the break to remind the teachers and the staff. We really enjoyed these breaks and found that we were able to focus better on our work after an active break.
Feel Good Friday
All our activities during 2020/2021 school year complied with the COVID-safety guidelines
Physical activity makes you feel good – That’s a FACT! So on the last teaching Friday of the month we energised the school day in a FUN way. Every class in Granagh N.S. included extra activity and some mindfulness/ meditation activities into the school day.
See some of the children completing their activities below
Feel Good Friday October
Feel Good Friday December
Climb the Heights Skipping Challenge (18th January - 13th February 2021)
During school closure we took part in the “Climb the Heights” Skipping Challenge. Some of us didn’t have a skipping rope at home so we did jumping jacks instead. We recorded the number of skips/jumping jacks that we did every day in the Climb the Heights Skipping Challenge Chart. Some of us even managed to persuade family members who don’t go to our school to skip/do jumping jacks with us. We enjoyed this challenge and got lots of exercise.
Partnerships
Partnerships: Active School Slogan
All classes from 1st – 6th class were invited by the Active School Committee to enter the Active Slogan competition in December 2018. There were lots of fantastic entries and it was very difficult for the Active School Committee to decide on a winner.
Eventually, after lots of deliberations and a secret vote, Daniel won the competition with his entry "Wake Up, Shake up Granagh School!! Let's get active and be cool.
Partnership with G.A.A.:Liam McCarthy’s Visit to Granagh N.S.
On the 9th of November 2018, the Liam McCarthy cup visited our school. We watched highlights of the All Ireland Final. We got class photos and each child got to hold the cup. The children were wearing their green and white colours. Thanks to the local G.A.A. club, Noel Hartigan and Siobhan Scanlon (a past pupil of our school) for bringing the cup to us.
Partnership with G.A.A.:Liam McCarthy’s Visit to Granagh N.S.
On the 9th of November 2018, the Liam McCarthy cup visited our school. We watched highlights of the All Ireland Final. We got class photos and each child got to hold the cup. The children were wearing their green and white colours. Thanks to the local G.A.A. club, Noel Hartigan and Siobhan Scanlon (a past pupil of our school) for bringing the cup to us.
Partnership with Ladies Football Club:Ladies Football Cup comes to Granagh N.S.
Limerick Ladies Junior football team also were crowned All Ireland champions in 2018. We were delighted when on February 14th 2019 their cup visited our school. Thanks to Anne and Mark members of our local Ladies’ Football club who brought the cup to our school.
During the 2020/2021 school year we used the Bizzy Breaks for Bizzy Minds and Bodies Irish Heart Foundation programmes
Physical Activity :Maths trail around the school grounds
As part of Math's week 2019 all classes went on a Math's Trail around the school grounds. They had lots of fun being active and exploring maths around the school environment.
Physical Education : Games
As part of Active School we prioritized the Games strand as the P.E. strand for development.
In February and March 2020 we extended a warm welcome again to our G.A.A. hurling coaches
Partnership with the G.A.A.: West Schools' 9 a side Hurling
The boys and girls in 5th and 6th class participated in the West Schools' 9 a side hurling competition. Congratulations to the team who qualified for the 9 a side hurling county final in Neville Park on June 7th 2019. This was a wonderful achievement for the children. Thank you to Mike, Seamus and all involved in coaching the children.
Partnership with local school:Hurling/camogie blitz for children 1st -3rd class organised by Ballingarry N.S. June 11th 2019
All the children 1st-3rd class had a wonderful fun day in the local G.A.A. pitch. Thank you to Ms. Shelton Ballingarry N.S. who organised the day. Congratulations to the boys 1st- 3rd class who won the Rose McCarthy trophy. All children received a medal for participation.
Partnership with local school:Hurling/camogie blitz for children 1st -3rd class organised by Ballingarry N.S. June 11th 2019
All the children 1st-3rd class had a wonderful fun day in the local G.A.A. pitch. Thank you to Ms. Shelton Ballingarry N.S. who organised the day. Congratulations to the boys 1st- 3rd class who won the Rose McCarthy trophy. All children received a medal for participation.
Partnership with local secondary school: Hurling Blitz in Coláiste na Trócaire May 28th 2019
Congratulations to the boys and girls in 6th class who won the shield in the hurling blitz organised by Coláiste na Trócaire Rathkeale.
Local Sports Partnership with SPAR and FAI
On the 4th March 2019 three soccer teams from 4th 5th and 6th class travelled to Sean Choill in Corbally to play in the Spar 5 a side soccer blitz. All the children enjoyed the day. Two of the teams qualified for the county final. Congratulations to all the children and thank you to all the parents who helped especially Pat Fitzgibbon Tom O’Gorman and Maureen O’Gorman.
On the 4th March 2019 three soccer teams from 4th 5th and 6th class travelled to Sean Choill in Corbally to play in the Spar 5 a side soccer blitz. All the children enjoyed the day. Two of the teams qualified for the county final. Congratulations to all the children and thank you to all the parents who helped especially Pat Fitzgibbon Tom O’Gorman and Maureen O’Gorman.
Our Sporting Achievements 2018-2019
Congratulations to Sean & Thomas who represented the school in the Mackey team and Kate who represented the school in the Eithne Neville team.
Congratulations to Sean & Thomas who represented the school in the Mackey team and Kate who represented the school in the Eithne Neville team.
Well done to Sean, Kate & Jack A. who represented the school in the the hurling skills competition and Jack M, Thomas and Darragh who represented the school in the football skills competition.
Our Sporting Achievements 2019-2020
Congratulations to Tom who represented the school in the West Limerick Sarsfield Cup competition.
Congratulations to Tom who represented the school in the West Limerick Sarsfield Cup competition.
Physical Education: Dance with Danika
All the boys and girls in the school took part in an eight week block programme of Dance with Danika in November and December 2019 . All the children really enjoyed these classes.
Active School Week June 18th-24th 2019
We organised our first Active Week at the end of June 2019. We organised an active school tour for children Infants- 2nd class on June 18th, a Camogie/Hurling blitz in Ballingarry organised by the Granagh/Ballingarry hurling/camogie club for the whole school on June 20th, Fun Day in Granagh N.S. for the whole school on June 21st.,
and a trip to Knockfierna hill on June 24th. We gave active homework as part of homework. Our school commits to having Active School Week as part of our annual school calendar.
Active School Tour June 18th.
Fun Day event organised by the Granagh/Ballingarry hurling/camogie club for the whole school on June 20th
Fun Day in Granagh N.S. on June 21st.
This was a whole day event.
Climbing Knockfierna hill on June 24th.
This was a whole school event.
Thank you to all the parents who helped.
Active School Tour
3rd- 6th class had a great day in Ballyhass Activity Centre on May 31st.
Active Home Week April 27th- May 3rd 2020
In 2020 during school closure from April 27th to May 3rd we had Active Home Week.
We committed to 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
We played football, hurling, basketball, soccer, balloon volleyball and rugby.
We played on the trampoline. We played hopscotch, skipping and 40-40.
We did housework and gardening.
We went for long walks with our families.
We had great fun and we got lots of exercise.
We committed to 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
We played football, hurling, basketball, soccer, balloon volleyball and rugby.
We played on the trampoline. We played hopscotch, skipping and 40-40.
We did housework and gardening.
We went for long walks with our families.
We had great fun and we got lots of exercise.
Active School Week June 14th-June 18th 2021
All our activities during 2020/2021 school year will comply with the COVID-safety guidelines
All children should aim to be active for 60 minutes each day. Remember physical activity helps us to stay healthy, learn and focus better and most importantly to have fun!
Here is the plan for ‘Active School Week.’ Firstly, tracksuits replace uniforms for staff and pupils for the duration of the week. We will complete 3 physical activities each day in school. Every class teacher replaces written homework with physical activity tasks. We encourage children to engage in 2 physical activities at home throughout the week. On Monday each child will get an active homework sheet and a challenge chart. Please colour in two activities each day. If you enjoy other activities that aren’t listed you can fill them into the blank boxes yourself. Please also complete the challenge chart and sign and return to your child’s class teacher when finished.
Our 3 physical activities at school
1st Activity
Each morning at 10 we’ll have Drop Everything and Dance where every class will dance in their own classroom to their favourite song
Also, during Active Schools Week music will be played in the school yard during break times.
2nd Activity
Each day every child will take part in Our K-a-Day initiative.
3rd Activity
Monday – Active Walkway
Junior Room 11.30 a.m.
Middle Room 2 p.m.
Senior Room 1 p.m.
Tuesday Our school will organise FUN Day activities for the whole day
Wednesday
Our school has invited the local G.A.A. and camogie clubs to coach the children in the games strand.
Thursday
Obstacle Course/ Hockey
Friday
Yoga
Here is the plan for Fun Day Tues June 16th. It will be a whole day event and this year children will be active in their bubbles. Activities will include skipping and an obstacle course, co-operative games, throwing and catching activities, football and parachute games, saucers and domes, sprints, sack races, spud and spoon races, sprints using hurdles and our mini marathon around the school grounds. We’ll have Drop Everything and Dance at 10. The day will finish with a treat for everyone.
Active School Week Challenges 2021- each day the children will be asked to complete one challenge
Day Challenge Set by
Monday Book Balance Challenge M. Hayes and M. O'Gorman
Book/Beanbag on your head
Can you walk for 1 minute with the book/beanbag on your head?
Tuesday Skipping Challenge S. Reidy
Can you skip 15 times in a row without stopping?
Wednesday Throwing Challenge M. Kingston
Can you throw and catch ball/beanbag for 1 minute without dropping?
Thursday Skipping Challenge
Can you skip for one minute without stopping? S. Lynch
Friday Ring Toss Challenge Sarah Lavin https://www.daretobelieve.ie/activeschoolsflag OLYMPIAN Challenge
Saturday Keep Uppy Challenge
Can you do this challenge for one minute without stopping? T. Condon
Sunday Book Balance Challenge
Can you balance book/beanbag on your head and touch the ground C. Kennedy
with both hands and stand up without dropping the book?
All our activities during 2020/2021 school year will comply with the COVID-safety guidelines
All children should aim to be active for 60 minutes each day. Remember physical activity helps us to stay healthy, learn and focus better and most importantly to have fun!
Here is the plan for ‘Active School Week.’ Firstly, tracksuits replace uniforms for staff and pupils for the duration of the week. We will complete 3 physical activities each day in school. Every class teacher replaces written homework with physical activity tasks. We encourage children to engage in 2 physical activities at home throughout the week. On Monday each child will get an active homework sheet and a challenge chart. Please colour in two activities each day. If you enjoy other activities that aren’t listed you can fill them into the blank boxes yourself. Please also complete the challenge chart and sign and return to your child’s class teacher when finished.
Our 3 physical activities at school
1st Activity
Each morning at 10 we’ll have Drop Everything and Dance where every class will dance in their own classroom to their favourite song
Also, during Active Schools Week music will be played in the school yard during break times.
2nd Activity
Each day every child will take part in Our K-a-Day initiative.
3rd Activity
Monday – Active Walkway
Junior Room 11.30 a.m.
Middle Room 2 p.m.
Senior Room 1 p.m.
Tuesday Our school will organise FUN Day activities for the whole day
Wednesday
Our school has invited the local G.A.A. and camogie clubs to coach the children in the games strand.
Thursday
Obstacle Course/ Hockey
Friday
Yoga
Here is the plan for Fun Day Tues June 16th. It will be a whole day event and this year children will be active in their bubbles. Activities will include skipping and an obstacle course, co-operative games, throwing and catching activities, football and parachute games, saucers and domes, sprints, sack races, spud and spoon races, sprints using hurdles and our mini marathon around the school grounds. We’ll have Drop Everything and Dance at 10. The day will finish with a treat for everyone.
Active School Week Challenges 2021- each day the children will be asked to complete one challenge
Day Challenge Set by
Monday Book Balance Challenge M. Hayes and M. O'Gorman
Book/Beanbag on your head
Can you walk for 1 minute with the book/beanbag on your head?
Tuesday Skipping Challenge S. Reidy
Can you skip 15 times in a row without stopping?
Wednesday Throwing Challenge M. Kingston
Can you throw and catch ball/beanbag for 1 minute without dropping?
Thursday Skipping Challenge
Can you skip for one minute without stopping? S. Lynch
Friday Ring Toss Challenge Sarah Lavin https://www.daretobelieve.ie/activeschoolsflag OLYMPIAN Challenge
Saturday Keep Uppy Challenge
Can you do this challenge for one minute without stopping? T. Condon
Sunday Book Balance Challenge
Can you balance book/beanbag on your head and touch the ground C. Kennedy
with both hands and stand up without dropping the book?
What Club are you in?
We are very lucky in the Granagh area to have a vast array of different sporting clubs available to the community. The Active School Committee in the 2019-2020 school year completed a survey of all classes and asked ‘What Clubs are you in?’
There was a great response from the children and you can see below the range of different sports that the children of Granagh N.S. are involved with.
Granagh/Ballingarry G.A.A. hurling/camogie club
Granagh/Ballingarry G.A.A. football club
Granagh soccer club
Rugby Club
Taekwondo
Swimming Club/Lessons
Horse Riding
Gymnastics
Golf
Hip hop/Irish dancing
If some children are not members of a club the Active School Committee encouraged them to sign up to one of the many clubs in the local area to keep fit and healthy.