Physical Education
PE School Plan
All classes in our school are taught five of the six strands of the PE curriculum each year. The six strands are: Aquatics, Athletics, Games, Dance, Gymnastics and Outdoor and Adventure.
Since undertaking the Active School Flag, the school has created a standardised PE timetable for the school year so that all classes are taught the same strand at the same time. The standardised PE timetable ensures a balanced amount of teaching time to these strands throughout the school year.
The plan highlights the PSSI lesson plans to guide teachers in their planning of PE. The PSSI lessons have been made easily accessible for all teachers to use. We have decided to teach four skills this year, walking, running, throwing and catching. All teachers use the Move Well Move Often resources.
The school plan also ensures that P.E. homework is given once a week, related to the PE strand they are working on at the time. Senior classes are given a 60 minute physical activity challenge to complete for homework three times a year. P.E. is discussed with parents at P.T. meetings and feedback is included in the annual school report.
Class PE Timetables
Physical Education is allocated 1 hour per week of overall teaching time. In November, the Active Schools Committee checked and confirmed that every class has 60 minutes PE time in their timetable. They confirmed that all classes were timetabled for 60 minutes a week. All classes opted for two 30 minutes slots. Discretionary time is also used towards PE.
Outdoor and Adventure
This year the school chose to prioritise Outdoor & Adventure as the PE strand for further development. The teachers spent a number of Croke Park meetings upskilling in this area by exploring the PSSI lessons, British Orienteering UK website as well as placing the topic on every staff meeting. We applied for and received new walkway signage through the Active Schools. Mr. Kelly’s 5th and 6th class designed a map of the school. We then looked at where we would place our new Walkway signs, incorporating as the community garden, our playground area, planting areas, basketball court as well as the yards. We have had great fun using the walkway across many different subject areas since it’s introduction. Have a look at some of the photos of our Easter Hunt using the Walkway.
PE Equipment
In November, the Active School Committee carried out the PE equipment audit. PE equipment was counted and a record of all PE equipment in the school was taken. This record will be kept near where the PE equipment is stored.
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 beanbags, spot markers, bucket walker stilts, rubber rings, skipping ropes, speed and agility ladder, cones and a parachute. We have continued to add to this by investing in a badminton/volleyball net, volleyball, badminton rackets and shuttle cocks.
Once the equipment was counted and recorded, the committee sorted and labelled the area where it is stored.
Active Reward Chart
In our classrooms our teachers use a reward chart to reward the whole class for good behaviour, kindness, doing our best and showing respect. When we have our reward chart filled, we get some extra physical activity as a reward thus replacing sweets as treats.
Land Paws
First, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth class all took part in swimming lessons this year. They all thoroughly enjoyed these eight weeks! In all classes we also learn all about water safety.
Through the Land Paws programme from the Irish Water Safety Association, we find out about water safety in the pool, in the home, on a boat, on the beach, on the farm and on the waterways. We also learn what to do if we saw somebody get into difficulty in the water.
