Partnerships
'Be Wise, Exercise' Active School Slogan
Active School Committee
In February 2022 all students in our school were given the opportunity to apply to be a member of our ASC. The students were asked to answer two questions:
Why do you want to be a member of the Active School Committee?
And list two ideas you have to make our school more Active.
We had an enormous response from our student body, almost 70 applications. From this we put together our committee made up of students from first class upwards. We have a wonderfully proactive and hard-working committee.
What does our Active Committee do?
- Lead Active Lines
- Come up with ideas and organise Active School Activities throughout the year
- Lead warm-up's for activities such as our Santa Dash, Road Run and 10@10
- Organise and make announcements at Active Assembly and make class announcements
- Check the PE store, keep it tidy
- Take on the role of playground leaders
- Attend Active School meetings
- Plan, organise and run ASW
School Teams.
For lots of whole school activities school teams are required. To do this each class teacher was given a set of number cards, the exact amount for their classroom. All classes meet in the school playground and line up with students with the same number. We use the school teams for a wide variety of Active School Activities throughout the year. Before an activity our ASC layout the team numbers at markers in the school yard. This is where we assemble and then warm-up together.
Active School Notice Board
All ‘Active’ activities are posted on our Active School Notice Board which is located at the end of the corridor. All children will see new notices as they go in and out to the yard. We have a suggestions folder on our noticeboard for children to post new ideas that they may have. There have been lots! At times during the year students sign up to be part of activities such as playground leaders, basketball leagues and Yoga at the Active School Board.
Active School Newsletter
During the year we have sent out Active School Newsletters to keep parents/guardians informed on what is happening in our school. It also gives us the opportunity to ask for help from parents in assisting us with various events. Parents/guardians have helped greatly throughout the year supporting the Active School initiative. They have stewarded (and participated) in our Santa Dash and our Road Run during ASW. The Parents Council provided refreshments of oranges and drinks also after these events. A big thank you to them.
Active Assembly
Active Assemblies takes place in our school hall once a month. Our Active School Committee make announcements about upcoming events, for example to explain what is taking place for bike week or Active School Week. We also demonstrate new exercises for Active Lines and get everyone to try them out.
Twitter
We have used twitter throughout the year to keep all our followers up to date on Active School Activities. Twitter is also used to inform students and parents/guardians about physical activity opportunities that are available in the local community such as training times for GAA. During ASW a daily tweet was sent out with an update on the days activities.
Twitter, ASW
Tag Rugby
Tadhg Kelleher from Athy Rugby Club returned to the school in March 2022. He visits on Fridays and teaches all classes Tag Rugby. The students enjoy developing their ball skills and playing games. 5th and 6th class attended a blitz in Athy Rugby club on 26th February, along with other local schools.
Bike Week 2022
in Association with Laois County Council.
in Association with Laois County Council.
We celebrated Bike Week, 16th - 20th May 2022. Many children who live nearby cycled to school everyday. On Wednesday 18th May 2022 all children were invited to bring their bikes to school. Anyone who could not bring a bike or does not have one walked the route. At 10 O'clock the whole school cycled down the road to the T-Junction and back to the school. Parents and grandparents helped steward the event. For the rest of the day each classroom had a time slot of three quarters of an hour to cycle around the perimeter of the school. It was a fantastic day. The Active Committee also ran an art competition during bike week. An Active Assembly was held to thank everyone for their efforts and to present prizes to the winners. The prizes were skipping ropes and balls.
Gaelic Football, St. Joseph's GAA Club and Laois GAA
Colm Begley, our local GAA coach visited our school in January and February for six weeks. He introduced Junior and Senior Infants and First and Second class to Gaelic football skills and ball games in the school hall.
Colm returned to us in April during ASW with Seán Dempsey from the local GAA Club St. Joseph's. They had 3rd to 6th class for Gaelic football skills sessions and matches on Wednesday afternoons. They have continued coaching 3rd to 6th class on Wednesday afternoons since ASW. They are providing excellent coaching.
Colm returned to us in April during ASW with Seán Dempsey from the local GAA Club St. Joseph's. They had 3rd to 6th class for Gaelic football skills sessions and matches on Wednesday afternoons. They have continued coaching 3rd to 6th class on Wednesday afternoons since ASW. They are providing excellent coaching.
Laois County Council, Clean Up Laois Week.
ASW appropriately coincided with Clean-Up Laois Week. Thanks to a very proactive student in our school, Noah, Clean Up Ballyadams was organised. Noah wrote to Laois County Council expressing his disappointment at the rubbish that could be seen on our roadways. He was invited into Laois Council Council for the Launch of Clean Up Laois and provided with paper pickers and rubbish bags. All families in our school were given a leaflet to inform them of the event. Anyone willing to help met in the school car park on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of ASW. This was a great success. Well done to all who helped!
Athy Tennis Club.
During ASW Athy Tennis Club offered our school the opportunity to visit their club and to receive complementary lessons. Our 3rd and 4th classes attended on Monday of ASW and had a brilliant experience. For most of our students this was their first time visiting the club. It won't be the last! See more photographs in our ASW section.
Hockey Ireland
After being in touch with Hockey Ireland they kindly sent our school lots of Hockey lessons and Gold, Silver and Bronze skills challenges. As a result of this we have set up Hockey Skills Challenges where children across all class levels can take part. This is taking place since ASW at lunch-times.
Sporting Achievements.
Achievements outside of school are regularly celebrated. Children are always encouraged to share stories with their class about their active hobbies and sporting activities outside of school. The children are encouraged to perform their talents for other classes e.g. Irish Dancing. Photographs are displayed on the school corridor as part of our 'What Club are you in?' noticeboard.
Ballyadams Active School Crest. 'What Club are you in?'
All children in our school were invited to take part in our Active School Crest Competition and our 'What Club are you in?' Competition. Each child was given a note home (see below) with all the details. Both competitions were explained to every class at Active Assembly by our ASC. These Competitions created huge interest among the children and parents/guardians. A huge effort was put in as you will see in our ASW section.
Yoga
Eleanor from Elm Studios visited our school during ASW to give the children a taster session in Yoga. It was a really enjoyable experience for the children and teachers who tried it out. We hope to have Eleanor back again soon to visit our school.
