Active School Week
23rd-27th April 2018.
Our Active School Committee had several meetings in the lead up to Active School Week 2018. Our committee brainstormed all their ideas. They then created a list of activities we could do. Together we identified equipment that was needed to be purchased and we prepared a plan and time-table for the week. During a staff meeting on Tuesday 17th April the time-table for Active Week was given to staff members and discussed.
Friday 20th April 2018.
Our Active Committee held a meeting to ensure everything was in place for the busy week ahead. They assembled Active Homework folders for each teacher. The final draft of the time-table was discussed so all members of our committee were familiar with it. Active Assembly was held in the school hall where all members of our committee made announcements about Active Week and we gave each child a copy of the time-table. Let the fun begin!!
Friday 20th April 2018.
Our Active Committee held a meeting to ensure everything was in place for the busy week ahead. They assembled Active Homework folders for each teacher. The final draft of the time-table was discussed so all members of our committee were familiar with it. Active Assembly was held in the school hall where all members of our committee made announcements about Active Week and we gave each child a copy of the time-table. Let the fun begin!!
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Active School Week Notice Board.
We created an Active School Week Notice Board to remind all children what was planned for each day.
Monday 23rd April 2018.
Active Walkway
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Monday began with our Active Walkway. This route takes in the perimeter of our school field and school building. Once the children arrived into the school yard in the morning we dropped our bags and joined the walkway. This took place from 9:10am to 9:25am. The children could walk or run.
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Active Lines
Once all the children were lined-up we all participated in our morning exercises of Foot Fires, High Knees and Burpees, led by our Active School Committee.
When the bell went at break-time we all participated in our set of exercises for break-time and also at lunch-time. If the ground was wet we had an alternative set of exercises.
When the bell went at break-time we all participated in our set of exercises for break-time and also at lunch-time. If the ground was wet we had an alternative set of exercises.
Exercise Trail
At 10 o'clock our whole school lined up in their school teams. We warmed up and went to our starting locations for our Exercise Trail. Each team moved from location to location around the school, completing exercises at each location and following the trail cards. There are 24 different locations around the school e.g. The oil tank, the gates in the back yard, the front door, the outdoor classroom etc
Athy Tennis Club.
3rd, 4th and 5th classes had the opportunity to visit Athy Tennis Club on Monday as part of Active Week. They played lots of games with tennis balls and played doubles. A big thank you to Athy Tennis Club for providing the lessons to us.
Hurling and Camogie
Junior and Senior Infants working on their hurling skills. On Monday they practised the roll and jab lift, striking the ball and soloing.
Brain Breaks
Below are Junior and Senior Infants taking a brain break, dancing with the Kidz Bop Kids on GoNoodle and playing Musical Creepy Crawlies. (Lie on your back and wiggly your hands and feet. When the music stops jump up as quickly as you can! )
Clean Up Laois
Parents and children gathered in the school car park at 3pm. With gloves and hi-vis jackets on, the teams were ready to go. Bags of rubbish were gathered. Clean up Laois continued on Wednesday and Friday after school from 3-4pm.
Active Homework
Every child in our school completed Active Homework each evening. We created a list of ideas for the Junior and Senior end of the school to use for Active Homework. Children were encouraged to come up with their own ideas for Active Homework also and record it in their diary each day.
Tuesday 24th April 2018.
Tuesday began with our Active Walkway all the way around our school from 9.10am to 9.25am. As the children arrived in school they dropped their bags and headed off walking and running. This was followed by our Active Lines morning Exercises, led by our committee.
Morning Exercise Class.
Our whole school gathered in the hall due to heavy showers outside. We took a morning brain break for 15minutes and completed ten exercises which included: Mountain Climbers, Bicycle, Line Cross, Jog on the Spot, Burpees, High knees, High Heels, Frog Squats, Side Plank and Rope Climb.
'Move with the Cards.'
We played 'Move with the Cards' in two sessions, the first was the Junior half of the school and then the Senior end of the school. The rain continued to pour down outside but that was not going to stop us being Active.
How to play: Each suit of cards represents a different exercise. When a card is held up you do the exercise to match until the card changes. When you see that Joker you can do any exercise you like!
How to play: Each suit of cards represents a different exercise. When a card is held up you do the exercise to match until the card changes. When you see that Joker you can do any exercise you like!
Basketball League.
Tuesday Lunch-Time was the final of our boys Basketball league. All the children from 4th, 5th and 6th classes gathered in the hall to watch and cheer on the boys. Basketball league games will continue for 3rd and 4th class in the coming weeks.
Pilates.
On Tuesday Junior and Senior Infants had the opportunity to try out some Pilates for the first time.
Yoga.
Thank you to Eleanor from Elm Studio who visited our school on Tuesday for a Yoga taster session. The children from 1st to 6th classes had the opportunity to sign up at the Active School Noticeboard if they wanted to give it a try. What an enjoyable hour it was! We warmed-up with the name game, played 'Ribbon Roulette' and learned lots of Yoga techniques.
Active Homework
Every child recorded their Active Homework in a diary format. They read their diary entry in class the following day. The children put in a huge effort. Activities were wide and varied from planting flowers and trees to jumping on the trampoline.
Wednesday 25th April 2018.
By Wednesday children and teachers were all well settled into our routine of our Active Walkway and our morning Active Line Exercises.
This was followed from 10am by our Running and Novelty Races. The whole school assembled up the school field. We began with running races, followed by Egg and Spoon Races, Sack Races and Three-Legged Races.
This was followed from 10am by our Running and Novelty Races. The whole school assembled up the school field. We began with running races, followed by Egg and Spoon Races, Sack Races and Three-Legged Races.
Parachute
After all our races Junior and Senior Infants felt they had a little bit of energy to spare so we enjoyed Parachute games. We made a tent with the parachute, played the colours game, (When your colour is called, run under the parachute and find a new handle) and 'mushroomed' it high into the air.
Dodgeball.
Ms.Kirwan's 4th and 5th class enjoyed a game of Dodgeball in the hall on Wednesday.
Camogie.
Wednesday lunch-time and Ms. Kirwan has training for the 4th, 5th and 6th class girls.
Gaelic Football.
From 12.45pm to 3pm 3rd to 6th classes participated in a Gaelic football coaching session with Colm Begley and Seán Dempsey. Colm Begley is a Laois footballer and GAA coach. Seán Dempsey is a former Laois Manager and is from the local GAA club, St. Josephs. It was great to have their expertise during Active Schools Week. Despite the hailstones, we had a very enjoyable afternoon!
Clean Up Laois.
Day 2 of Clean Up Laois. A microwave and television were some of the many items the children and parents picked up. Well Done to all who participated.
Active Homework
Thursday 26th April 2018.
While all our students and teachers were taking part in our Active Walkway and Morning Exercises our Committee were setting up an Obstacle Course for all classes to use during the day. They promised us a challenge and they didn't disappoint!
Active Lines, Morning Exercises.
Obstacle Course.
Swimming
2nd, 3rd and 4th classes had their final swimming lesson in Portlaoise Leisure Centre on Thursday morning at 11am.
Tennis
On Thursday Junior and Senior Infants practised their Tennis skills.
Active Homework. Recording Active Week.
Each day the children reported back to their class on what activities they had participated in for Active Homework by reading out their Active Homework Diary.
Road Run
At 1pm on Thursday our whole school went on a 3.3km run around the roads of our school. Each class has been running every week as part of 'Early Birds on the Move' to build up our fitness. Lots of parents came out to walk/run with us and also helped steward the roads and keep us safe. Thanks you to the Parents Council for providing oranges and drinks afterwards in the school hall.
Active Homework
Friday 27th April 2018.
9.10am: Away we went on our Active Walkway.
9:25am: Active Lines, Morning Exercises.
9.35am: Whole school game of 'Move with the Cards' in the school hall.
9:25am: Active Lines, Morning Exercises.
9.35am: Whole school game of 'Move with the Cards' in the school hall.
'What's Your Number?' and Hockey
On Friday morning Junior and Senior Infants played 'Whats your Number?' Using foam numbers the children complete that amount of repetitions of a particular exercise. They we played hockey.
Skipping at Break and Lunch-Time
Skipping Assembly.
Lots of new skipping ropes were purchased for our playground. The skipping ropes can be used at break and lunch times. They arrived on Tuesday. The children loved using them during the week. We have put new hooks on the wall of the cooridor to help organise the ropes and to keep them free from knots. After break on Friday we held a Skipping Assembly where children demonstrated how we tie the ropes around our waist when we are in our lines.
Active Assembly
On Friday afternoon we celebrated Active Week by holding a special Active Assembly. Our Committee thanked all those who helped during the week. We presented certificates of participation to the children. Presentations were made to children who made a really big effort for Active Homework. The 5th and 6th class boys basketball League winners were presented with Basketballs. Presentations were also made to runners-up and winners of our two competitions, Ballyadams Active School Crest Competition and What Club are you in? It was a wonderful way to conclude our great week.
Ballyadams Active School Crest Competition
Eighty-two children entered our Active School Crest Competition. The entries were really impressive and are displayed in our school hall. A winner was chosen from each class level and they were presented with prizes for their efforts which included Frisbees, basketballs, bubbles kits and certificates. We then announced 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Well Done to all children for getting involved!
'What Club are you in?'
Each child in our school was invited to take part in 'What Club are you in?' This involved writing about their hobby and including a photograph or drawing. Any child who is not part of a club was invited to write about an active hobby they have, for example, cycling, walking or playing soccer. Well Done to all the children for their brilliant work. Below are examples of 'What Club are you in?' entries. Presentations were made during ASW Assembly to the runners-up and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
ASW Record Sheet.
Each day our classes reflected on the previous day. They recorded in words and/or pictures the activities they were involved in. Below are some wonderful examples of the children's work. We have been busy!!
