Special guest helps raise Active Schools Flag

By Michelle Crean

They put in the hard work to renew their Active Schools Flag – and it was a very special day when a former pupil returned to help them raise it.

It all happened in Loughquittane National School as special guest Niamh Coffey, who recently won the B Final at the European U23 Championships returned to the school for the proud moment.

“This is a Dept. of Education initiative to encourage schools to incorporate more activity into their everyday routines,” John O’Donoghue, Active Schools Coordinator, told the Killarney Advertiser.

“We were honoured to have Niamh Coffey return to the school to raise the flag. Niamh is a huge inspiration to us all here in Loughquittane, and indeed still has a sibling in the school.”

Physical activity is hugely important in Loughquittane with many past pupils going on to excel in their chosen field, and this process is aided hugely by the Active Schools initiative, he explained.

“The Active Flag committee have representation from each room, and when they meet up they discuss what is and is not working for the various classes, as well as bringing suggestions for improving physical education in the school. It is very student led which is great.”

CHALLENGES

Activities include completing ‘The Daily Mile’ challenge where each child endeavours to run or walk a mile each day, cross country running in the woods opposite the school, mountain climbing, replacing a sports day with Active Week where the children spend time outdoors each day completing various activities including football, hurling, golf, dance, Pilates, aerobics as well as a whole school Sports Day which is organised and run by the older children and the entire school does it together with the emphasis being on participation rather than competition.

“All is recorded and documented and then there is an inspection process in which the school was able to successfully renew their Active Flag,” he said.

“It is an easy sell to the children as they love both the activities and the fact that they can take ownership of large parts of the process themselves! Having our past pupil Niamh Coffey back to raise the flag made it even more special this time round.”