Irish Primary School Wins Prestigious European Award
Cavan primary school St Clare’s, Ballyjamesduff, has won the prestigious #BeActive Education Award, which forms part of the European Week of Sport.
Principal Karl McCartin and Active Schools Coordinator Verena Cunningham were presented with the award at an award ceremony in Brussells yesterday evening, during the European Week of Sport flagship event.
This award is intended to put the spotlight on an educational setting that can demonstrate concrete ways in which it encouraged its young people to be active.
St. Clare’s was one of two schools, along with St. Clare’s Harold’s Cross, nominated for the award by Sport Ireland, the national coordinator for the European Week of Sport in Ireland, based on the range of sporting and physical activities on offer to pupils.
Initiatives introduced by the school include: ‘Active Lines’ where pupils exercise in their lines whilst awaiting collection from the schoolyard; ‘Free-Dance Friday’ where contemporary music is played over the loudspeakers and children are encouraged to dance in any style they wish and ‘WOW Days’ (Walk to School on Wednesdays) which means 280 pupils are now walking to school every morning, up from 140 before the start of the campaign.
Commenting on the win, Sport Ireland Chairman, Kieran Mulvey, congratulated St. Clare’s: “On behalf of Sport Ireland I would like to congratulate St. Clare’s Ballyjamesduff on this fantastic achievement.
“One of the key strategic objectives of Sport Ireland is increasing participation in sport and physical activity and initiatives such as those introduced by St. Clare’s are a shining example of how to keep our young people active.”
Sport Ireland Chief Executive, John Treacy, echoed Mr Mulvey’s comments: “A huge congratulations to St. Clare’s on winning this prestigious European award. I would also like to commend St. Clare’s Primary School from Harolds Cross Road who were also shortlisted for the award.
“Sport Ireland has been using the European Week of Sport to highlight the many opportunities to integrate sport and physical activity into our daily lives - regardless of our age, fitness level or background. Both schools are just two of the many schools who have bought into the initiative.
“Programmes such as the Active Schools Flag programme are helping ensure the young people of our nation are active and engaging in regular physical activity.”
The #BeActive Awards competition is a central element of the annual European Week of Sport and has been created to support initiatives and individuals dedicated to the promotion of sport and physical activity across Europe.
St. Clare’s Ballyjamesduff has 442 pupils and is currently working towards their Active Schools Flag, a Department of Education and Skills initiative supported by Healthy Ireland.
The school’s #BeActive motto is ‘Healthy school and active kids, makes St.Clare’s the place it is’ and following the awards ceremony, school principal, Karl McCartin, said: “We are just thrilled to be here to receive this award. I’d like to acknowledge the work of our fabulous pupils, the dedicated staff and our wonderful parent community who have all rolled in behind this programme to make is a success.”
National Coordinator Active School Flag, Karen Cotter, said: “Congratulations to St Clare’s Ballyjamesduff on this terrific win and to St Clare’s NS Harold’s Cross who were also chosen as a finalist for this prestigious award.
“It is great to see the work that Irish schools are doing to improve PE provision and to promote physical activity been acknowledged on a European stage.”
There was further Irish interest in the #BeActive Awards with Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals from Damastown in Dublin shortlisted for the #BeActive Workplace Awards.
About the #BeActive Awards:
The #BeActive Awards competition is a central element of the annual European Week of Sport and has been created to support initiatives and individuals dedicated to the promotion of sport and physical activity across Europe.
About the European Week of Sport:
The European Week of Sport takes place between the 10-18 September and aims to promote sport and physical activity across Europe. The Week is for everyone, regardless of age, background or fitness level. With a focus on grassroots initiatives, it will inspire Europeans to #BeActive on a regular basis and create opportunities in peoples' everyday lives to exercise more. As an annual event, the European Week of Sport will inspire all kinds of creative and exciting events and activities in different countries.
http://www.irishsportscouncil.ie/Participation/European-week-Of-Sport-/
About the Active Schools Flag Programme:
The Active School Flag (ASF) 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.
Schools wishing to achieve the ASF begin the process by self-evaluating their current provision across 3 areas: Physical Education, Physical Activity and Partnerships. Schools must also organise an Active School Week programme and commit to having it as part of their annual school calendar. Schools that can say ‘yes’ to all of the ASF success criteria will be awarded with the active flag. The flag remains valid for a period of 3 years after which time schools will be invited to re-apply.
ASF is a Department of Education and Skills initiative supported by Healthy Ireland.