Active Break Every Day Challenge
Every class completed the 'Active Break Every Day' challenge, as a whole school initiative, over a period of 4 weeks this year from 9th November - 4th December 2020. A short Active Break helps each and everyone of us to recharge and refresh our minds and brains to help us concentrate on our school work again. Each class had a choice of a lots of different active breaks from running, dance, exercise break or even a yoga break. Check out some of the photos below to see how all our classes kept active during their breaks.
12 Days of Fitmas
Our Active School Committee came up with a fantastic '12 Days of Fitmas' activity chart with activities such as ‘Santa Dance’ ‘Christmas star jumps’ etc. for us all to follow in the lead up to Christmas. It also helps us to count down the last days of school before our Christmas Holidays while keeping us Active.
Run Around Ireland Challenge
For a block of 4 weeks from the 22nd March to 30th April, all students from Junior Infants right up to 6th class took part in the 'Run Around Ireland Challenge'. It was great to see all the students putting in great efforts to be active over the course of the 4 weeks and all the classes made it to many of the different landmarks around Ireland, from Hook lighthouse to the Giant's Causeway to the Cliffs of Moher and many other places. Take a look at our wonderful students in the following pictures taken during the 4 weeks.
Active Yard
Following on from our Parent and Pupil surveys that were conducted back at the beginning of the school year, the results informed us that the children wanted more activities and games or equipment to play with at break times. Due to COVID restrictions this year we could not have our usual Playground Leaders setting up games and activities for us so we came up with 'yard boxes'. Each class group has a box full of lots of different types of equipment to help them stay active and use their imaginations during their lunch breaks. Check out the pictures below to see our Active Yards.
Reducing Sedentary Time in the Classrooms
Here at Ballaghkeene NS, we know how important it is to be Active for at least 60 minutes everyday to help lead a healthy lifestyle. Did you know that just one physically active lesson creates a 20% increase in grades and a 13% increase in a child's physical activity for the week. So Physical Activity in school is a win-win for both students, teachers and parents.
As a whole school, every class has agreed upon at least three actions to reduce sedentary time in their classrooms. Some of these are as follows:
▶We will complete some of our school work standing up every day/week
▶We will complete one activity from the 'Active Jar' everyday
▶We will bring learning outdoors for one subject every week
▶ We will complete the walkway route once every week
▶ We will have PE homework every week
▶ We will revise our spellings/tables, with a partner, by walking a lap of the walkway before our tests
▶We will learn our maths in an active way
▶ We will discuss topics outdoors and ‘on the move’
▶ We will practise our gaeilge comhrá outdoors and ‘on the move’ with a partner
▶ ‘We will have a Drop Everything and Dance Break every Friday
▶ We will stand up and stretch before/after our playground breaks every day
▶ We will have a skipping break every day
▶ We will have a running break every day
Have a look through our gallery below to see how our classes are keeping themselves active and reducing sedentary time in school.
▶We will complete some of our school work standing up every day/week
▶We will complete one activity from the 'Active Jar' everyday
▶We will bring learning outdoors for one subject every week
▶ We will complete the walkway route once every week
▶ We will have PE homework every week
▶ We will revise our spellings/tables, with a partner, by walking a lap of the walkway before our tests
▶We will learn our maths in an active way
▶ We will discuss topics outdoors and ‘on the move’
▶ We will practise our gaeilge comhrá outdoors and ‘on the move’ with a partner
▶ ‘We will have a Drop Everything and Dance Break every Friday
▶ We will stand up and stretch before/after our playground breaks every day
▶ We will have a skipping break every day
▶ We will have a running break every day
Have a look through our gallery below to see how our classes are keeping themselves active and reducing sedentary time in school.
