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St Brendan’s Boys National School

Tel: 018319047
Email: stbrendansartane@gmail.com
Mc Auley Rd, Artane, Dublin 5, Ireland
To find out where we are visit view a map on our Contact Us page.

Active Schools

Active School Flag (ASF)

The Active School Flag (ASF) is a national initiative that celebrates and supports schools in becoming more physically active and promoting wellbeing across the whole school community. The programme encourages schools to adopt a whole-school approach towards physical activity — making movement, fun and participation part of everyday school life.

What the Active School Flag Means

An Active School is one where:

  • Physical activity is valued, promoted and enjoyed by students, staff and the wider school community.

  • Students are supported to move more often, both in and out of structured PE. 

Schools that can demonstrate meaningful improvements in areas such as Physical Education, daily physical activity, partnerships and delivery of an Active Schools Week can be awarded the Active School Flag — a mark of the school’s commitment to health and wellbeing.

The Goals of the Active School Flag

The ASF programme aims to: 

  • Promote physical activity in a fun, inclusive and positive way.

  • Support schools in finding ways to energise the school day and reduce sedentary behaviour.

  • Encourage strong Physical Education provision and enhance physical literacy.

  • Empower students with a voice in how physical activity happens at school.

  • Build partnerships with families and local organisations.

  • Generate a community where good practices are shared and celebrated.

 

How It Works

To work towards the Active School Flag, schools:

  • Self-evaluate their current physical activity provision.

  • Plan and implement improvements in PE, physical activity opportunities and school culture.

  • Engage students, teachers, parents and partners in regular activities and events.

  • Organise an Active Schools Week — a designated week of active events and challenges for everyone in the school. 

Once a school achieves the ASF, the flag remains valid for a period of time (usually three years), after which the school can renew their award.

Examples of Activities

Schools involved in the Active School Flag initiative often take part in: 

  • Whole-school challenges (like “Skip Around Europe” or “Skip Around the World”) that prioritise inclusion and fun.

  • Movement breaks and active lessons throughout the school day.

  • Student-led committees that organise games, events and fun activities to keep everyone engaged.

  • Active Schools Week, with events and ideas to get everyone moving.

 

Why It Matters

Research shows that physical activity during the school day supports: 

  • Improved focus and classroom behaviour

  • Better learning and academic outcomes

  • Enhanced wellbeing, confidence and teamwork

  • Stronger relationships across the school community

By working towards the Active School Flag, schools help students build healthy lifelong habits — making active living part of everyday school life.

St. Brendans Active Flag Review 2017

  • There has been a significant investment in sports equipment for the pupils to use at break times; including new skipping ropes, hoolahoops, bean bags, active spots, ten pin bowling etc….
  • Hurling has been introduced in our two second classes and equipment has come from Parnells GAA.
  • The school has had fundraising events to fund the proposed painting of the play ground markings.
  • Storage racks have been purchased for storing P.E. the equipment. This is located inside the yard doors making it a lot more accessible. Active monitors assist with the collecting and the tidying up of this area each day.
  • A designated area on the yard has been set aside for the use of this equipment. Children from any class level are welcome to use the equipment during the break. The area is supervised by Active Monitors and Active Flag Committee members.
  • Active Monitors act as referees during break.
  • They too act as active buddies encouraging children to move and to be active.
  • A Thursday ten has been established in the school focusing on aerobics on the line. This is a football free zone.
  • A number of classes start their Monday and Thursdays with a lap of the miler.
  • In addition to this a lunchtime running club has been set up in the school. Boys run every Monday and Thursday at 12:30.
  • Playgrounds have been assigned according to class size which ensures all children have adequate space to run.
  • Go Noodle is a feature of daily school life in many classes.
  • A number of our classes are involved in the Pax Programme for disicipline and a lot of the Granny Wacky Prizes/ rewards for good behavior involve active breaks.
  • The Lunchtime mile has become an annual event with all classes taking part.
  • We have strong links with the Green School Committee and a major focus continued on our COW,SOW and WOW Days. Walk on Wednesdays happens weekly.
  • The Active school notice board is regularly updated by the committee.
  • Committee members visit classes regularly providing information on up and coming events.
  • Competitions have been run to come up with an Active School Mascot and an Active School Code.
  • We look to the school community for suggestions of what the boys themselves would like to partake in.
  • Our school teams are regularly commended for their efforts and their accomplishments.
  • Extra yard and active breaks are regularly given as class and whole school rewards.
  • Second classes used the RSA programmes to promote safe active travel: High Glow Silver to second class and the Safe Cross Code dance to 2nd and 3rd  Pupils who were making a big effort to implement the key messages from the Safe Cross Code.
  • RSA sent out bike lights and arm bands for the children to promote safe travel.
  • 5th class complete a bike safety and repair workshops which runs for 6 weeks.
  • The Active School committee (made up of class representatives from 2nd to 6thclass) have every Thursday help lead the Thursday Ten Session.  While The Active School committee lead thi , the emphasis from the start was on inclusivity and fun.
  • A Sports Stars section was created on the Active School notice board to celebrate physical activity skills andachievements.
  • The school website includes a link to the Get Ireland Activewebsite and encourages parents to look up informationaboutphysical activity events in their local area. Information is also displayed on the Active School noticeboard.
  • The school website is regularly updated with physicalactivitiesthat the children are participating in and there is a link onthewebsite for Active Schoolblogs.
  • Brendans is a Health Promoting School.
  • Active classes including operation transformation, couch to 5k,yoga… are offered to parents.
  • An Active School Week will be held in June 2017.

St. Brendan’s Active Flag Week 12th-16th June 2017

Monday 12th of June Tuesday 13th of  June Wednesday 14thst of June Thursday 15th of June Thursday 2nd of June
To launch our Active Week we are having our first ever whole school relay event.. Come on St. Brendans lets put all our hard training into action and see just how far we can run? Boys can wear shorts and t shirts on the day.

All parents and guardians are welcome to come along to cheer us on or if up for the challenge we would love you to  join your sons class  on their class  run. Any help that you could offer on the day would be greatly appreciated. What class will manage to run the furthest? This is a combined effort .Every time you run a lap of the miler place a counter/token in the recording box box.At the end of the day we will calculate just how far we have run…? Lets Go Brendans lets Go!

 1.Circuits

Our coach from Parnell’s Colm who is a tremendous help to the boys in the school has agreed as part of our Active Week  to carry out circuit training. We are hoping to push the boys to their limit and develop their fitness levels.

 

2. Yard Games.

On the Tuesday we are going to have a Football free Zone. Voted by you as one of the best events last year ,we do hope to have lots of fun.As suggested by you

here are some Games we hope to play:

Rounders

Shoe in the middle

Corners

Tip the can

Skipping

Hop scotch

What time is it Mr. Wolf.

Bulldog

Hoola Hoops

Cat and Mouse

Flush the Toilet

Bowling

Rob the nest ……

 

 Perhaps the highlight for many, our school tour to Clara Lara promises endless hours of action packed adventure and fun.

Lots of fresh air, swimming ,boating, climbing, orienteering,

canoeing, rafting..This is one to be enjoyed by all.

 

 Junior Mini leagues 2nd -4th Class.

Senior Mini Leagues 5th and 6th.

Games will run throughout the day.

Thursday 10 aerobic session at 11 on the lines.

 SPORTS DAY

This is a fantastic day enjoyed by all and a great way to end our Active Week.

Boys will take part in 6 events

Obstacle Course

Sprints

Basketball Shots

Egg and Spoon Race and Penalty shootout.

There will be a number of Novelty events on the day and prizes given to best sportsmanship.

Shorts and t shirts can be worn. A big thanks to our parents association who organise and prepare the barbeque each year which is enjoyed by all.

 

A wonderful environment in which to learn, play and grow.

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