Welcome to the active school flag page!
We are currently striving to renew our Active School Flag. Keep an eye on our Facebook and this page of the website throughout the year to see our progress!
Active School Committee
This is our new Active Schools Committee. They are tasked with making our school more active this year and helping us meet the requirements for our Active Flag. The committee meets regularly and is the go-to group that helps teachers and students be more active.
Physical Education
Chosen Strand to focus on- Games
As a whole school staff, we chose Games as the area to focus on this year in Castlegar NS. To that end we began by carrying out a survey of the children's favourite games. This data was gathered in pupil surveys and displayed on the Active School Flag Noticeboard. We purchased the necessary sports equipment needed to support the teaching and learning of games in our school such as new footballs and bibs for teams. All teachers made a special emphasis on teaching games in PE lessons with the warm-up for most lessons consisting of small games to promote movement. As a way of introducing our students to games and sports they may never have tried, we made a conscious effort to introduce taster sessions of games such as Tag Rugby, Basketball, Tennis and Badminton to our Active Week program of events as these were games that students had reported they rarely played.
As a whole school staff, we chose Games as the area to focus on this year in Castlegar NS. To that end we began by carrying out a survey of the children's favourite games. This data was gathered in pupil surveys and displayed on the Active School Flag Noticeboard. We purchased the necessary sports equipment needed to support the teaching and learning of games in our school such as new footballs and bibs for teams. All teachers made a special emphasis on teaching games in PE lessons with the warm-up for most lessons consisting of small games to promote movement. As a way of introducing our students to games and sports they may never have tried, we made a conscious effort to introduce taster sessions of games such as Tag Rugby, Basketball, Tennis and Badminton to our Active Week program of events as these were games that students had reported they rarely played.
Teacher Continious Professional Development
Teacher training is a valued part of the professional ethos in Castlegar NS which is fostered at all levels of school management. Teachers are encouraged and supported to attend training in any area they feel is relevant to their work. This includes PE. 2 Teachers attended the PDST training days on implementing the Move Well Move Often Fundamental Movement Skills this year and last year. This knowledge and the accompanying resources were spread amongst the staff.
One member of staff also attended the Irish Primary PE Association (IPPEA) conference in Kilkenny on the 9th March. This was an extremely practical and enjoyable way to brush up on some PE teaching skills and experience interesting workshops such as Badminton, Inclusion for Disabilities, Cooperative Sports Day and Creative Dance.
Teacher training is a valued part of the professional ethos in Castlegar NS which is fostered at all levels of school management. Teachers are encouraged and supported to attend training in any area they feel is relevant to their work. This includes PE. 2 Teachers attended the PDST training days on implementing the Move Well Move Often Fundamental Movement Skills this year and last year. This knowledge and the accompanying resources were spread amongst the staff.
One member of staff also attended the Irish Primary PE Association (IPPEA) conference in Kilkenny on the 9th March. This was an extremely practical and enjoyable way to brush up on some PE teaching skills and experience interesting workshops such as Badminton, Inclusion for Disabilities, Cooperative Sports Day and Creative Dance.
The PE Equipment
In October, when we decided to focus on getting the Active Flag we began by doing a survey of PE equipment in our school to see what we had available. The new active school committee carried out a stocktake. We found that we needed to purchase some simple new equipment to help teachers with PE lessons and help us implement better playground games. We purchased items such as hoola-hoops, beanbags and footballs. The Active Committee pupils then tidied and labelled our PE Equipment store!
In October, when we decided to focus on getting the Active Flag we began by doing a survey of PE equipment in our school to see what we had available. The new active school committee carried out a stocktake. We found that we needed to purchase some simple new equipment to help teachers with PE lessons and help us implement better playground games. We purchased items such as hoola-hoops, beanbags and footballs. The Active Committee pupils then tidied and labelled our PE Equipment store!
Kids Yoga
We are very fortunate to have a member of staff who is also a qualified Yoga Teacher. Ms McMahon is very passionate about the positive effects of yoga and regularly provides afterschool Yoga classes and in-school support to other teachers wishing to incorporate Yoga into their PE lessons.
We are very fortunate to have a member of staff who is also a qualified Yoga Teacher. Ms McMahon is very passionate about the positive effects of yoga and regularly provides afterschool Yoga classes and in-school support to other teachers wishing to incorporate Yoga into their PE lessons.
Sean Nós Dance
As part of the Galway City Council's Galway 2020 program, World famous Irish Dancer specialising in Sean Nós, Emma O Sullivan visited our school to do workshops in Sean Nós for our students.
As part of the Galway City Council's Galway 2020 program, World famous Irish Dancer specialising in Sean Nós, Emma O Sullivan visited our school to do workshops in Sean Nós for our students.
Hip Hop Dance
We are very fortunate to have members of staff who are passionate about activity. Ms Kelly, one of our teachers has a particular interest in Dance. She regularly supports other teachers in the teaching of the Dance strand of the curriculum, as well as doing an afterschool dance class.
We are very fortunate to have members of staff who are passionate about activity. Ms Kelly, one of our teachers has a particular interest in Dance. She regularly supports other teachers in the teaching of the Dance strand of the curriculum, as well as doing an afterschool dance class.
Staff Meetings
Active School Flag progress has been discussed at many staff meetings during the year, so that all staff are kept abreast of developments. Upcoming events such as Active Week, Coaches visits, Visits to the community centre and sports days were all communicated to staff directly. PE lessons were discussed regularly with staff sharing ideas for games development as this is our chosen area to work on this year. The PSSI Lesson Plans were a significant help in this regard.
Active School Flag progress has been discussed at many staff meetings during the year, so that all staff are kept abreast of developments. Upcoming events such as Active Week, Coaches visits, Visits to the community centre and sports days were all communicated to staff directly. PE lessons were discussed regularly with staff sharing ideas for games development as this is our chosen area to work on this year. The PSSI Lesson Plans were a significant help in this regard.
Physical Activity
Active Breaks
In December our Active Schools Committee began implementing Active Breaks throughout the school. This was planned as an everyday activity for 2 weeks to trial it. Classes did 10 minutes activity in their classrooms or outside at some stage of the day. This has been shown to boost brain activity and learning ability. Classes did online games like Go Noodle or they went outside and did running or skipping. It was great fun.
In December our Active Schools Committee began implementing Active Breaks throughout the school. This was planned as an everyday activity for 2 weeks to trial it. Classes did 10 minutes activity in their classrooms or outside at some stage of the day. This has been shown to boost brain activity and learning ability. Classes did online games like Go Noodle or they went outside and did running or skipping. It was great fun.
Playworx Playground Games
The Active Schools Committee thought about how they could make our students more active during break-times outside. Some children played team games but others did not and disliked the competitive nature and the physical contact. The committee decided to trial the Playworx system of playground games. Playground Leaders were appointed and the games were implemented twice a week at lunchtime. We have noticed an improvement in activity levels at lunchtimes and less incidences of aggression and misbehaviour on yard. Playworx and the Playground Leaders are a great success!
Active Lines
We changed the way we line up this term out on yard. We are trying to be more active instead of standing still in a line while we wait for our teachers to take us back to class!
We changed the way we line up this term out on yard. We are trying to be more active instead of standing still in a line while we wait for our teachers to take us back to class!
Do Your Talking While You're Walking
As another initiative to get our students more active, we began a drive to get people to "do your talking while you're walking". The older children had expressed that they preferred to just chat at break times so this was a way they could do that while also getting their steps in, leading to a healthier lunch-break overall!
As another initiative to get our students more active, we began a drive to get people to "do your talking while you're walking". The older children had expressed that they preferred to just chat at break times so this was a way they could do that while also getting their steps in, leading to a healthier lunch-break overall!
Partnerships
Castlegar NS is proud to partner with numerous local community groups and sporting organisations as well as third level educational institutions in Galway.
Partnership with GMIT Sports and Exercise Science Students
On the 28th November 2018 we were invited to partake in a Sportshall Athletics Day in the local Ballinfoyle Community Centre. Students from 4th, 5th and 6th classes attended and participated. The children learned many athletic movements and skills while rotating through stations coached by the 3rd level students from GMIT. The children had great fun and learned how important sports and exercise is for their health. We will be continuing this partnership in 2019 by taking GMIT students on placement to work in our school to help our parents and children keep fit and healthy.
Partnership with GMIT Sports and Exercise Science Students
On the 28th November 2018 we were invited to partake in a Sportshall Athletics Day in the local Ballinfoyle Community Centre. Students from 4th, 5th and 6th classes attended and participated. The children learned many athletic movements and skills while rotating through stations coached by the 3rd level students from GMIT. The children had great fun and learned how important sports and exercise is for their health. We will be continuing this partnership in 2019 by taking GMIT students on placement to work in our school to help our parents and children keep fit and healthy.
Partnership with NUIG Pediatric Society and the Association of Medical Students Ireland
On 13th November 2018 the NUIG Medical Students Union invited our students to take part in their Healthy Heroes Day in the Kingfisher NUIG Gym Complex. Our 3rd and 4th classes took part in various educational workshops about nutrition, human anatomy, biochemistry and physical activity. They learned about how dance improves your mood, how the different food macronutrients affect your body and how the circulation system works. We look forward to visiting the Healthy Heroes event next year!
On 13th November 2018 the NUIG Medical Students Union invited our students to take part in their Healthy Heroes Day in the Kingfisher NUIG Gym Complex. Our 3rd and 4th classes took part in various educational workshops about nutrition, human anatomy, biochemistry and physical activity. They learned about how dance improves your mood, how the different food macronutrients affect your body and how the circulation system works. We look forward to visiting the Healthy Heroes event next year!
FAI Futsal Tournament in NUIG
Our 3rd and 4th class students participated in a 5-aside futsal tournament organised by the FAI Youth Coach Nigel Keady in November 2018. We had a boys team and a girls team representing Castlegar NS. Both teams did very well and loved competing against other schools from the city and county. We then continued this partnership with the FAI in Galway through having the football coach Henry visit for 6 weeks to coach our students during school.
Our 3rd and 4th class students participated in a 5-aside futsal tournament organised by the FAI Youth Coach Nigel Keady in November 2018. We had a boys team and a girls team representing Castlegar NS. Both teams did very well and loved competing against other schools from the city and county. We then continued this partnership with the FAI in Galway through having the football coach Henry visit for 6 weeks to coach our students during school.
Castlegar Athletics Club and Galway Sports Partnership
In May 2018 two coaches from the local athletics club kindly volunteered their time to do a Sportshall Athletics coaching morning with some of our students in the Ballinfoyle Centre. The equipment was supplied and set up by Jason Craughwell of Galway Sports Partnership.
In May 2018 two coaches from the local athletics club kindly volunteered their time to do a Sportshall Athletics coaching morning with some of our students in the Ballinfoyle Centre. The equipment was supplied and set up by Jason Craughwell of Galway Sports Partnership.
Active School week
This year we have been working hard to renew our Active School Flag. The Active School Committee
along with Mr Broderick and Mr Byrne have organised an Active School Week to take place next
week 1 st -4 th April. This week will include workshops and activities for the children such as Badminton,
Running, Judo, Indoor Athletics, Soccer, Tennis, Hurling, Yoga, Dance, Skipping and Tag Rugby!
Some of these activities will be facilitated by outside expertise with coaches coming from Galway Lawn
Tennis Club, Connacht Rugby and Galway Judo Club. Some activities need the use of a Sportshall and
specialist equipment also. Thus the older classes will be travelling by bus to Ballinfoyle-Castlegar
Community Centre on Thursday 4 th April for an indoor sports day.
Due to all of the costs associated with the Active Week such as bus, hall rental & coaching fees, we
would ask that all children bring €2 to school on Monday to contribute towards this wonderful
week of activity.
This week will be the pinnacle of the last few month’s efforts to make our school a more active
environment. In September we did our Run Around Europe Challenge. In October we introduced
Playworx playground games to breaks on the yard. In the winter months when the weather stopped
us from going outside, classes did active movement breaks indoors with Go Noodle. In January, Mr
Broderick started Afterschool Sports Club and Ms McMahon started Afterschool Yoga. In February
classes did Active Homework instead of written work, and did their 10@10 everyday at school. Now
we will begin April with our Active School Week.
We have also had numerous coaches working with our students so far this year. Some of these
include Galway Community College Basketball, GMIT Sports & Excercise Science students, Galway
Sports Partnership, FAI soccer coach Henry, Castlegar Hurling Club coach Tom, and even renowned
Sean Nós Dancer Emma O Sullivan did dance classes during Seachtain Na Gaeilge!
We as a school place the health and activity of our students as a top priority and we hope everyone enjoys Active Week!
along with Mr Broderick and Mr Byrne have organised an Active School Week to take place next
week 1 st -4 th April. This week will include workshops and activities for the children such as Badminton,
Running, Judo, Indoor Athletics, Soccer, Tennis, Hurling, Yoga, Dance, Skipping and Tag Rugby!
Some of these activities will be facilitated by outside expertise with coaches coming from Galway Lawn
Tennis Club, Connacht Rugby and Galway Judo Club. Some activities need the use of a Sportshall and
specialist equipment also. Thus the older classes will be travelling by bus to Ballinfoyle-Castlegar
Community Centre on Thursday 4 th April for an indoor sports day.
Due to all of the costs associated with the Active Week such as bus, hall rental & coaching fees, we
would ask that all children bring €2 to school on Monday to contribute towards this wonderful
week of activity.
This week will be the pinnacle of the last few month’s efforts to make our school a more active
environment. In September we did our Run Around Europe Challenge. In October we introduced
Playworx playground games to breaks on the yard. In the winter months when the weather stopped
us from going outside, classes did active movement breaks indoors with Go Noodle. In January, Mr
Broderick started Afterschool Sports Club and Ms McMahon started Afterschool Yoga. In February
classes did Active Homework instead of written work, and did their 10@10 everyday at school. Now
we will begin April with our Active School Week.
We have also had numerous coaches working with our students so far this year. Some of these
include Galway Community College Basketball, GMIT Sports & Excercise Science students, Galway
Sports Partnership, FAI soccer coach Henry, Castlegar Hurling Club coach Tom, and even renowned
Sean Nós Dancer Emma O Sullivan did dance classes during Seachtain Na Gaeilge!
We as a school place the health and activity of our students as a top priority and we hope everyone enjoys Active Week!
