Active School Flag

In St. Mary's Woodside N.S. we are on a mission to get our Active School Flag. 

Active School Flag Information

What is the Active School Flag?

The Active School Flag (ASF) is a Department of Education and Skills initiative supported by Healthy Ireland. The Active School Flag is awarded to schools that strive to achieve a physically educated and physically active school community. The process aims to get more schools, more active, more often.

St. Mary’s Woodside is currently working towards attaining our Active School Flag. In order to achieve this, we will be running various active initiatives throughout the year.  The aim of this is to increase awareness of the importance of physical activity amongst young people. It is recommended that every child receives 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

For us to achieve the ASF, we have to satisfy four criteria which are listed below:

A. Physical Activity

B. Physical Education

C. Partnerships

D. Active School Week

Physical Education

At St. Mary's Woodside N.S we seek to assist the children in our school in achieving their potential by the promotion of physical activity throughout the school. We intend to reinforce the seven key messages of the Primary PE curriculum in our lessons.

Key Messages of the Primary PE Curriculum

• The importance of enjoyment and play.

• Maximum participation by all children.

• The development of skills and understanding.

• A balance between competitive and non-competitive activities.

• Providing opportunities for achievement of each child.

• Providing activities equally suitable for boys and girls.

All pupils in our school are provided with 60 minutes timetabled PE per week, as a minimum.

All classes are taught 5 different PE strands each year: Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games, and Outdoor and Adventure.

All Classes are taught the PAWS Water Safety Programme in June each year. All classes from 1st-6th avail of an 8-week swimming block throughout the year in Meadowbrook Swimming Pool.

Every child’s progress is discussed with parents at Parent-Teacher meetings and feedback is included in the annual school report.

Our school PE programme allocates a balanced amount of teaching time to each of the different PE strands.

St. Mary's Woodside NS ensures that PE activities are planned so that they are accessible by all pupils.

Teachers use the progamme 'The Fundamental Movement Coach' (designed by our current 2nd class teacher Mr. Hickey), PSSI lesson plans and the 'Move Well, Move Often' resources to guide their delivery of the PE Curriculum.