Active Schools Motto: "Sitting down is not much fun, so get off the couch and run. Be Active!"
Some images of Active Schools Week 2019
Day 5 - Playground Games and Skills Test Day
It's Friday and that's a wrap after a long, energetic and fun filled week. Our dance leaders began the morning with dance and got the whole school involved. They were super. The yard was transformed and zoned. Bean Bag Golf was a great hit. The golf players in the school really liked the idea. The Welly throwing surprisingly had many takers. I think we are down a few after it!! New to the yard were the inside - outside elastics. The children made up their own rhymes and put their flexibility and agility to the test. The playground leaders were great to supervise the different areas and to help the younger classes especially. 5th and 6th class girls and boys wanted a skills test so that's exactly what we did. It was great fun and plenty of craic. The whole week was so enjoyable. #ASW19 is brought to an end!
Day 4 - Obstacle Course Rivalry
Some of the committee were busy putting together a super active obstacle course on the pitch. There was a mix of side stepping, hurdles, stepping stones, bench, balance and probably their favourite the army crawl under the net. Junior and senior infants were first to try it out and they were delighted. All other classes followed after small break. Then it got serious. Siblings took on siblings and friends took on friends. Thankfully it a very enjoyable experience and we were all winners. Lots of smiles and chanting.
Day 3 - New games and Outdoor and Adventure
Day 3 saw some great ideas from the committee and other children. Slight change of plan from original line up! However, the day began. we also tied in with Green Schools and encouraged W.O.W. (Walk on Wednesday) The yard was turned into a chalk zone. A 100sq was drawn out with chalk and some artistic snakes and ladders added in. The dice was a recycled box and number/dots coloured on. Great cross curricular links of history and games, mathematical drawing, numbers, shapes, patience and FUN! Well done. The infant classes had great FUN playing numerous parachute games. Other classes were out and about with some Outdoor and Adventure. Not only all of this but the daily mile challenge continued. What a day!
Day 2 - Zumba with Tanya Grant
Day 2 did not disappoint. Tobar an Léinn was hopping. Zumba with Tanya Grant was a super hit. This fitness dance really got the children rocking and they loved every minute of it. Tanya was super with the children and got them grooving straight away. They learned some new moves and enjoyed familiar ones too. The session lasted approximately 40 minutes with each class. The music and dance was so energetic and will be remembered for quite a while. The music poured onto the yard at lunch time. When is the next session?? Thank you Tanya.
Day 1 - Local Celebrity, Martin McDonald as seen from Ireland's Fittest Family
What a beautiful day to launch our Active Schools Week. Martin McDonald, a local hero as seen in 'Ireland's Fittest Family' led the whole school including some teachers into some light stretching and then around the pitch for the Daily Mile Challenge. At the end and most important after exercise we all did a cool down. The response by the children was incredible. Martin gave the children some vital running tips and put it all to practice then. Great start to our week.
Active Schools Week Timetable 2019
Monday Our Active Schools week will be launched by a local celebrity Martin McDonald as seen from Ireland's Fittest Family. Martin is a founding member of the Ballyroan, Abbeyleix and District A.C. He is an International Mountain runner and cross country runner recording significant wins. Martin and his family were nipped at the finish in Ireland's Fittest Family competition. They did Laois proud. We are delighted to have him visit Tobar an Léinn next Monday to share his experience and tips.
The whole school will participate in a 'Wake up, Shake Up' session followed by the Daily Mile challenge.
Tuesday We welcome Tanya Grant to Tobar an Léinn. Tanya will energise the children with a day of Zumba fitness and music. The children will experience physical activity in another fun way with dance and a different kind of movement. Zumba is a new activity to our ASW, so we hope it catches on! Tanya is a past pupil of our school and we are thrilled she is coming back to take part in Active Schools Week.
Daily Mile Challenge
Wednesday The Irish Tug of War Association is in partnership with Active Schools Flag initiative and thankfully we are delighted to be welcoming Cathy O'Toole to our school. Tug of war is an ideal sport where there is such an importance in team and not on the individual. It is a new sport we are introducing for ASW 2019 and we really hope the children enjoy it.
It's also National Walk to school week so Tobar an Léinn and Green schools will encourage W.O.W.
Daily Mile Challenge
Thursday Tobar an Léinn is delighted to have another celebrity visitor coming to the school, Laois Ladies Football Captain, Anna Healy. She is a perfect example of an athlete who balances study and playing sport. Anna is captain of Laois Ladies this year and is currently studying physiotherapy in Limerick.
It's also obstacle course day for ASW. Our committee will line out a course with a little orienteering into the mix. Daily Mile challenge continues.
Friday The final day of ASW. Laois Camogie minor team had recent success in winning the Minor B All Ireland Final. We are excited to welcome members of the panel and management to the school to address the children and show off their silverware. Both our boys and girls Cumann na mBunscol teams are competing very well this year so we hope they can share some good advice to our young stars.
Daily Mile Challenge
Active Schools Week
Active Schools week in Tobar an Léinn will take place in May. We will start on Monday the 13th and are looking forward to a fun filled exciting week of games and activities. Our Active Schools committee are plotting and planning already!! Watch this space...