Active Schools

Presentation Primary Get Active

Active Flag

Active School Flag (ASF) is a Department of Education 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 incentivize them to work towards achieving a physically educated and physically active school community.

The Process: There are lots of criteria we have to meet to receive the flag. We are confident this will be an enjoyable and beneficial experience for all members of our school community.

There are targets outlined for 4 clear areas which need to be achieved.

The 4 areas are:

• Physical Education
• Physical Activity
• Partnerships
• Active School Week

We, at Presentation Primary are currently working towards gaining an Active School Flag for our school. It is recommended that all children get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.

We are hoping that by engaging in this process, the above will become more achievable for all our pupils. Along with improving the physical health of our pupils we believe we will see knock-on effects in the classrooms also eg; increased concentration and focus.

Please see more information at Active School Flag | More Schools, More Active, More Often

Physical Education

Athletics

September

During the month of September, and in partnership with Louth Local Sports Partnership, the children attended the Lourdes Stadium here in Drogheda. After walking over 1km down, the children undertook activities at four different stations

• Running
• Long Jump
• High Jump
• Javelin

After that, the children would then walk back to school and enjoy a well earned rest!

Spooky Halloween Circuits

We had great fun being Active before the midterm break with our Halloween inspired exercise stations. Judging by the photos, they had a ‘Spooktacular’ time!

Here are the stations:

1. Throw your Treats – How many treats (beanbags) can you get in the hula hoop?
2. Pumpkin Roll – Pencil roll across mat (one person at a time)
3. Trick or Jump – 10 jumps, give next person a go
4. Eyeball Balance – balance (eye)BALL on the racket
5. Frankenstein – moving like Frankenstein move a ball through the cones with your feet
6. Spooky Squats – Squat whilst making a spooky face
7. Haunted Hurdles – jump over the hurdles, one person at a time
8. Curl Ups – Lie on the mat and “rise” into a curl up!
9. Ghost buster – Throw the basketball hitting the ghosts on the wall, one person at a time!
10. Spider Crawl – Crab walk!
11. Lava Leap – Avoid the lava by jumping from hoop to hoop
12. Walk the plank – walk along a bench (mats each side) walk along a line (infants)
13. Zombie Step ups – Place hands on the wall (like a zombie) step up on the bench

Our Active School Commitment

Our School knows that physical Activity helps us to:

• Stay Healthy
• Have Fun
• Concentrate and focus

Our Active Schools Committee

Congratulations to the following children who have been selected to be part of our Active Schools Committee.

• Smrithi
• Amelia
• Conor
• Milan
• Amy
• Mazvi
• Emily
• Evana
• Zuzanna
• Jheanna

School Slogan

In the month of December, all the classes participated in our Active school slogan competition. Each child, along with their parents, had to create a slogan along with a poster. One winner was chosen from each class, in which they received a prize. One winner was selected from the entire school, in which they received a prize for Sports Direct to spend on something Active.

The Active school’s committee met several times, and decided that our Active School Slogan for 2024 is…

Being Active Every day, Helps us Live a Better Way!

Active Christmas

For our Active Christmas initiative, each child from Junior Infants to 6^th Class went on a ‘Christmas Jumper/Hat walk’. The children were encouraging to wear a Christmas hat or jumper and go for a walk in our local community. Every adult in the school took part and participated in the 3Km walk. As a Christmas treat, the children were all treated to a cup of warm hot chocolate as they listened to Christmas songs upon arriving back to the school.

Involvement in sport outside of school:

Movement Breaks/ Walkway/ Skipping

Our school has made great use of our skipping ropes, running laps, and walkway to keep everyone active and having fun. Skipping has become a daily favourite, with pupils practising tricks, team games, and challenges during break times and PE. Our running laps initiative helps each class build stamina and set personal goals — pupils track their progress while enjoying friendly competition. The school walkway has also been a fantastic addition, providing a safe and structured route for movement breaks, nature walks, and mindfulness walks throughout the day. Teachers use it for brain breaks and outdoor learning, while our Active Schools Committee promotes its use through class challenges and events. Together, these simple but effective activities have helped our school community stay fit, focused, and full of energy, showing that keeping active can be both easy and enjoyable for everyone.

Active Week

Our school’s Active Week was an exciting, action-packed celebration of physical activity, teamwork, and fun! Each day brought new opportunities for students of all ages to get moving, challenge themselves, and enjoy being active together as a school community.

• Marathon Relay Kickoff

We launched the week with a Marathon Relay, where every class contributed to the challenge of running the distance of a full marathon. Students took turns running laps around the yard or field, cheering each other on and proudly tallying up the distance. It was an inspiring way to start the week with energy and unity!

• Sports Day Fun

One of the highlights of Active Week was our Sports Day. With a mix of traditional races, novelty events, and team games, there was something for everyone. Students participated in sack races, egg-and-spoon races, obstacle courses, and tug-of-war battles. The air was filled with laughter and encouragement, as classmates supported one another through every event.

• Visit to the Athletics Stadium

Midweek, we had an unforgettable outing to a local athletics stadium. Students got the chance to experience a real track and field environment. They tried out sprints, long jumps, and relays, gaining a new appreciation for athletics while learning some new skills in a professional setting. The excitement of being in a real stadium made the experience even more special

• Jersey Walk Wednesday

The students and staff wore their favourite team jerseys with pride and participated in a whole-school walk. Decked out in colours representing clubs and counties, we walked together through the local area, chatting, laughing, and showing off our sporting spirit. It was a great way to promote walking as an enjoyable, healthy habit.

Active Week brought our school community together through movement, joy, and shared experiences. Whether racing, walking, or cheering from the sidelines, every student had a chance to shine and contribute to a memorable week. We ended the week feeling energised, connected, and ready to stay active all year round.

Playground Leaders/ Active Breaks

Our Active Schools Committee plays a vital role in keeping everyone moving and having fun. As playground leaders, they set up games and activities for the children at break times, making sure everyone is included and active. They organise skipping, relay races, playground games, and challenges that encourage teamwork, fair play, and plenty of laughter. The committee is also responsible for looking after all the PE and playground equipment, ensuring it’s well cared for and ready to use each day. Their leadership helps create a positive and energetic atmosphere in the yard, where children look forward to being active and trying new games. Their efforts show great teamwork and pride in making our school a healthier, happier place.