Active Schools Motto: 
"Sitting down is not much fun, so get off the couch and run.  Be Active!"

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Physical Education

Physical Education is the planned, progressive learning that takes place in school curriculum timetabled time and which is delivered to all pupils.  This involves both ‘learning to move’ (i.e. becoming more physically competent) and ‘moving to learn’ (e.g. learning through movement, a range of skills and understandings beyond physical activity, such as co-operating with others).  The context for the learning is physical activity, with children experiencing a broad range of activities, including sport and dance. 
(extracted from afPE’s Health Position Paper 2015 )
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Physical education, as an integral part of the total curriculum, provides vital opportunities for the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of the child. (Primary P.E. Curriculum pg. 2)

All classes in Tobar an Léinn are timetabled for 60 minutes of physical education every week.  A broad and balanced PE curriculum is delivered, at all class levels, by the classroom teacher.

The P.E. Curriculum is divided into 6 strands as follows:

• Athletics
• Games
• Aquatics
• Dance
• Gymnastics
• Outdoor and Adventure

Aquatics

Swimming has started every Thursday in Tobar an Léinn for the next 6 weeks in the Portlaoise leisure Centre.  'The aquatics programme is concerned with gaining competence and confidence near, in, under and on water. It provides unique opportunities for enjoyment, allowing the child the sensation of buoyancy.' (Physical Education Curriculum pg. 5)  We also had a visit from a representative from PAWS Ireland(Primary Aquatics Water Safety).  PAWS teaches children how to be safe around water in homes, farms, pools, beaches and on our waterways.  All teachers will teach this side of Aquatics.

Games

The hurling and camogie training season begins again.  The Cumann na mBunscol competition will be up and running in no time.  In alliance with Colt G.A.A.,  we have included the whole school in this training programme.  Acknowledging the fact that the UNESCO  inscribed hurling and camogie on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, we felt it deserves the time to be practiced in school.  The Fundamental Movement skill we are focusing on this month is 'dodging'.   

The Compass Dance

As part of the warm up for Operation T. walk, we danced together.  We went around the four points of the compass using different range of movements (low and medium), jazz hands, the dab, forward swim and backwards swim to mention but a few.  Everyone chanted out the steps/beat from 1 to 8 .  We really enjoyed it.  We also tied in our F.M.S. of jumping for height in parts of the dance. 

Dance

After an enjoyable Christmas break, all classes in Tobar an Léinn are currently in term 2 doing dance in PE.  Below are first and second class exploring body actions changing shape, levels, direction and speed.  In pictures you should see children demonstrating a 'meeting and parting dance' plus the early stages of the  'compass dance'.  We used the song 'Uptown Funk' to accompany our moves.

Gymnastics

All classes in Tobar an Léinn participated in gymnastics in Term 1. Gymnastics in education is concerned with the use of movement in a creative way in response to set tasks, both individually and with others (PE curriculum pg 4.)  1st to 6th class children in Tobar an Léinn participated in a 6 week gymnastics programme.  Portlaoise Gymnastics Club provided suitable equipment and expertise to allow children express themselves confidently across the floor.   Sonya our coach was fantastic and delivered super lessons to all.  Below is a flavour of a Christmas routine performed by 5th and 6th class students.  The full video can be seen on our school Facebook page.