Active Flag 2024/25
Active School Flag (ASF) is a Department of Education and Skills initiative supported by Healthy Ireland, and part of the National Physical Activity Plan. The ASF initiative provides schools with a framework to guide, support and incentivise them to work towards achieving a physically educated and physically active school community.
We are hoping to renew our Active Flag in Walterstown NS this coming year.
Active Flag Committee 2024/25 Image coming soon!
Physical Education
Walterstown N.S. recognises the importance of providing a structured, varied and inclusive approach to physical education affording students many opportunities to develop their physical skills in a positive environment.
The aims of the P.E curriculum are:
• to promote the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of the child
• to develop positive personal qualities
• to help in the acquisition of an appropriate range of movement skills in a variety of contexts
• to promote understanding and knowledge of the various aspects of movement
• to develop an appreciation of movement and the use of the body as an instrument of expression and creativity
• to promote enjoyment of, and positive attitudes towards, physical activity and its contribution to lifelong health-related fitness, thus preparing the child for the active and purposeful use of leisure time.
We focused on the Athletics strand when we gained our Active Flag. As part of our Renewal procedure we are focusing on the development of Four Fundamental Skills.
1. Running
2. Dodging
3. Throwing
4. Striking with a Hand
1. Running
Physical Activity
Physical Activity is incredibly important. The HSE states that “All children and young people should be active, at a moderate to vigorous level, for at least 60 minutes every day”.
Our school aim, this year, is to reduce the time we spend sedentary in order to increase physical activity.
September 2024 – Cross Country Running
We got off to a fantastic start this year with our running activities, and the enthusiasm from our students has been nothing short of amazing!
A huge highlight was the Cross Country Challenge at Fota House, where many of our pupils proudly represented our school. It was a wonderful day filled with determination, effort, and great fun. We’re delighted to share that some of our talented runners even brought home medals – what an incredible achievement!
We’re so proud of all the children who took part, giving it their all and showing fantastic team spirit. Whether they came home with medals or simply gave their best effort, every student who participated should feel very proud of themselves.
Events like these show the importance of staying active, working hard, and supporting one another. Well done to everyone involved – students, teachers, and parents – for making this such a memorable experience. Here’s to even more running successes in the future!
October 2024 – Maths Week Activities
Maths Week 2024 was celebrated all over Ireland during October, and here in Walterstown, we absolutely loved every minute of it! Maths Week is always a special time in our school, and this year was no exception.
Our pupils had a fantastic time taking part in a wide variety of maths-based activities. From solving puzzles to tackling fun challenges, there was something for everyone to enjoy. We didn’t just keep our maths in the classroom either – we got moving and brought plenty of energy to our learning this year!
Combining maths with movement and activity made it even more enjoyable. Whether it was counting steps, measuring distances, or playing number games outdoors, we found creative ways to stay active while building our maths skills.
It was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm, teamwork, and problem-solving happening all around the school. Maths Week is such a brilliant opportunity to show how maths can be fun, exciting, and part of our everyday lives.
A huge well done to all our pupils and teachers for making this year’s Maths Week such a big success. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
October/November 2024 – Sciath na Scol Winners!
We are bursting with pride over the fantastic achievements of our 5th and 6th Class pupils who took part in the Sciath na Scol Gaelic Football Competition this October.
Our girls’ football team showed incredible commitment, determination, and teamwork throughout the competition. Their hard work paid off in the best way possible – they reached the Sciath na Scol final! The final took place in early November in none other than Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and what a day it was.
In an exciting match against Bartlemy, our team gave it their all and came out victorious! We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate this amazing achievement. A massive congratulations to our talented girls’ football team – you’ve made the entire school so proud!
The dedication of the players, the support from teachers and parents, and the encouragement from the school community all played a part in this brilliant success. Walterstown Abú! We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this fantastic group of players.
Active Break Challenge (November/December 2024
Our school has been buzzing with activity over the past four weeks as we took part in the Active Breaks Challenge. We’ve been up to all sorts of fantastic things and had great fun along the way!
We’re so lucky to have our wonderful walking track. Classes had the chance to head outside, soak in the lovely scenery, breathe the fresh air, and stay active at the same time.
Just Dance was a big hit with everyone – we had great laughs and lots of movement! During Maths and Gaeilge, we got creative with Active Games, which made learning even more enjoyable. Our daily 10 o’clock movement break outside is always a highlight, and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
Even on rainy days, we didn’t let the weather stop us! We made a huge effort to use the hall for indoor yard time, ensuring we never missed out on our active break.
We’re so proud of the energy, effort, and enthusiasm everyone brought to this challenge. Well done, everyone!