Active School Flag 2024/25 – Cloonakilla N. S.

Active Breaks Challenge:

Active children learn better. Our school reinforces the message that children require 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. We as a school are committing to an active break every day from November 18th for four consecutive weeks. Five minutes of movement between lessons can have a hugely positive impact on the teaching and learning in the lesson that follows. It helps children to adjust energy levels, restore concentration and self- regulate emotions.

Active Schools Committee:

We have some new members in our Active Schools Committee from 1st and 2nd classes. A big welcome to Ellie Behan, Kate McVeigh, Áine Kidney and Cillian Keegan who have been busy working behind the scenes to ensure Cloonakilla can attain their second Active Flag by June 2025.

European Sports Day

European Sports Day was held on Friday, October 4th. Hourly challenges were set throughout the day over the intercom. Each class also participated in the ‘Relay Takeover’ races against their own classmates and other year groups. It was a huge success with all classes competing outside to see who would be the winning team for each class grouping.

Gaelic

Gaelic coaching with Clann na nGael has commenced on Wednesdays for the senior and middle classes. 5th and 6th classes enjoyed perfecting their football skills before mid term and now 3rd and 4th classes will train until Christmas.

Rugby

Rugby training is also up and running with Dermot from Buccaneers RFC. 3rd and 4th class had great fun playing tag rugby up until Mid-Term and Ms Finnegan’s class participated in a rugby blitz in Buccanners RFC on the last day of term. 5th and 6th classes are now working with Dermot each Thursday.

Soccer

A past pupil, Sophie Byrne, coached soccer in our school for 5 weeks as part of her transition year work experience. Sophie proved to be an excellent coach. She has recently been selected for the U-16 Ireland Soccer Team. We were delighted to have her showing off her talent and coaching the next generation in Cloonakilla.

A huge thank you to all our coaches who give up their time to pass on their skills and knowledge to our students.

Cross-Country

Students from 3rd – 6th Class have been very busy training for cross-country competitions over the past few weeks. Our school competed in two separate competitions – a local derby hosted by Summerhill NS and the Roscommon Primary Schools Cross Country competition held in St Brigid’s GAA grounds. Cloonakilla NS was very successful in both competitions and all competitors should be very proud of themselves. A special congratulations to Emma Kelly 5th Class, Kayden McCormack Costello 5th Class and our Senior Girls Team (Emma Kelly, Kiersten Keegan, Emily Dolan, Aoibhinn McGowan, Sarah Noone and Chloe Meares) who qualified for the Connacht Cross Country Final in Mohill, Co Leitrim. It was a very difficult course but they all performed very well and did their school proud. We have wonderful athletes in our school and we encourage all pupils to be active and to move as much as possible.

Parent Collaboration

There will be a questionnaire left outside classrooms during Parent/Teacher meetings this month. Please take a few minutes to fill it in to inform our ASF committee of your thoughts and ideas on achieving this very worthwhile flag.

Our school will need to purchase a new set of jerseys for our senior football team this year. If anyone is interested in sponsoring these, please contact the school. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Active School Flag-Term 1 23/24

We have been busy forming our new Active Schools Committee for 2023/2024. Please meet our new committee members!
We are aiming to apply for our 2nd Active Flag this school year.
During term one all pupils thoroughly enjoyed a European Sports Day where we set hourly challenges and had a fun filled afternoon of teachers v pupil activities.
The committee members have been working hard behind the scenes and are very proud to say that the Active Walkway is now up and running and our playgrounds have gotten new markings which allows lots of fun games to be played during break times.
Active homework is now up and running and a big thank you to our committee members for coming up with such fun ways to stay active.
Senior classes have also commenced Gaelic and rugby training which have been a huge success!
We look forward to having an active school year!