ISC launches Buntْs DVD for primary school teachers

Irish Sports Council launches Buntْs DVD for primary school teachers

The Irish Sports Council officially launched its teacher’s resource DVD for its national primary school sports programme; Buntْs, today (Fri 2nd March), at an event in Waterpark College, Waterford where the DVD was filmed. Buntْs, which is sponsored by Super Valu is designed to give primary school children a fun but high quality introduction to the fundamental skills of sport, in a safe environment.

The DVD, which features local children from Waterpark National School, the Fun4All Sports Club and the Special Olympics club in Waterford, is an additional aid for teachers to help them deliver their PE classes using Buntْs. The DVD particularly highlights good practice in relation to the inclusion of children with special needs in PE sessions, and equips the teachers with the necessary knowledge to adapt all aspects of Buntْs to fit their needs.

Speaking at the launch Irish Sports Council Chief Executive John Treacy said: “The Council believes that active participation in sport should be an integral part of every child’s life. Buntْs provides the essential good start in sport that leads to lifelong participation; bringing with it significant health and lifestyle benefits; so crucial to the children of Ireland today”.

“This DVD resource gives an added dimension to the programme for the teachers who are delivering it daily around the country, complimenting the existing training they’ve received from our Buntْs tutors. It’s wonderful to see so many local children here today having so much fun through sport; that is the kind of experience we in the Council want for every child across the country”, he concluded.

Buntْs means “Basic Start”, and is designed to support the Physical Education curriculum and the teachers who deliver it. The programme is recognised by the Department of Education and Science, and is delivered locally through the Irish Sports Council’s Local Sports Partnership network. The three components of Buntْs are whole school programme training for teachers, resource cards for teachers to help them plan their PE sessions, and the provision of Buntْs bags containing sports equipment designed by Physical Education specialists for use by specific age groups.

Buntْs has been rolled out to 1766 primary schools in the 19 existing Local Sports Partnership sites across the country, to date. Earlier this year it was announced the Local Sports Partnerships will become a national network in 2007; with 13 new partnerships being established to bring the total to 32 nationwide. Buntْs will be rolled out among the new Partnerships over the coming year.

The Irish Sports Council has expanded Buntْs to include the vital pre-school age group. Buntْs Start has been developed to cater for three to five year old children and is being rolled out to childcare providers across the country through the Local Sports Partnership network. Sports specific Buntْs programmes have also been developed; Buntْs Soccer has been rolled out across the country with Buntْs Rugby operating in specific target areas. Buntْs Badminton and Buntْs Basketball are currently being rolled out.

Super Valu local staff and owners link with their local schools and Sports Partnerships to promote Buntْs and encourage the involvement of parents and children. The DVD was produced by Glass Eye Productions from Kilkenny, and features children from Waterpark National School, the Fun4All Club and the Special Olympics club in Waterford, with the tutors from Waterford Sports Partnership. Findel equipment, who supply the Buntْs bags, provided complimentary equipment for all the children involved.
ENDS.

For Further Information:
Sinéad McElroy, Irish Sports Council, 087-6338512 smcelroy@irishsportscouncil.ie