Physical Activity

We aim to maximise all opportunities for physical activity at Ballygar National school. Physical activity promotes the engagement of exercise and movement in addition to the 60 minutes of Physical Education per week.  Ballygar National school actively promotes the message that children require 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Each child is encouraged to become more active during the school day. We have taken part in a variety of initiatives to promote and inspire the Children of Ballygar Nation School to become more active.

Active Playground

Children are given the opportunity to improve their fundamental movement skills throughout the day. During break and lunch children are encourage to stay active. Our school playground is zoned and this gives the pupils freedom to choose from a variety of activities. Our school has an excellent group of playground leaders that encourage the pupils to become more active. The playground leaders; plan, set up equipment, demonstrate and monitor the activities.

Active Breaks/ Rainy Day Breaks

All classes engage in active breaks throughout the school day. On wet days all children engage in an extended classroom based physical active break. (Go Noodle, Just Dance for Kids, Bizzy Breaks etc)

Active Lessons

We understand that active kids learn better. Physical activity can help pupils focus, improve behaviour and boost positive attitudes. The more they burn the more they learn!!

Active Schools Walkway

On Friday the 12th of April we launched our new Active School Walkway with a Mad Hatters Run/Walk! Ava and Julie Ann the youngest and oldest pupils in the school cut the ribbon to open the route. We had such a fantastic day!

Physical Education

Physical Education provides a broad and balances curriculum for all children.

The P.E. curriculum provides children with learning opportunities through the medium of movement and contributes to their overall development by helping them to lead full, active and healthy lives. All children in Ballygar National School are taught the six strands in the P.E. curriculum

• Athletics

• Dance

• Gymnastics

• Games

• Outdoor and adventure activities

• Aquatics

Teachers cover each of the above six strands over the school year. Each class receives a minimum of 60 minutes of physical education per week. In the case of aquatics; classes from 1st– 6th receive a seven week block of swimming lessons in Roscommon Leisure Centre. This year Junior and Senior Infants covered the ‘Land Paws’ programme (Primary Aquatic Water Safety) This is classroom-based and focuses on water safety theory and land-based skills. 

At the start of the Active School Flag process the staff of Ballygar National school carried out an evaluation of our P.E policy and looked at the teaching of each strand. On reflection we decided to update our P.E policy and to focus on the strand of Athletics for the current school year. Please take the time to view our updated P.E policy on the link below.

Athletics:

The Athletics strand provides a variety of opportunities to engage in the natural activities of running, jumping and throwing.

As Athletics was our strand of development for this academic year we took part in many running/skipping initiatives and focused on developing the skills and techniques of the athletics strand.

Running

Non-competitive setting

Partnership is an important aspect of the Active School Flag programme. We are very luck in Ballygar N.S to receive lots of communication, support and encouragement from a wide variety of clubs in our local community. There is something for everyone and if you, our your child is interested in joining a local club you can find a list of clubs and contact details below!

2022/23

Coaches

We have some amazing coaches visiting our school to help the students develop their sporting skills in a number of areas.

Jack Hynes- Gaelic Football

Lauren Solan- Hurling

Michael Glennon- Tag Rugby

Hurling

Football

Tag Rugby

Coláiste Mhuire Soccer Tournament

The boys and girls from 4th, 5th and 6th class had a very enjoyable day at the Coláiste Mhuire soccer tournament held on the 1st March in the Mattie Mc Donagh Centre. We performed very well on the day and made it all the way to the semi-final. Thank you to Mr. Curran and the Transition Year students for organising a fantastic event.

Cólaiste Mhuire Soccer Tournament

FAI Soccer Tournament

Well done to our boys and girls soccer teams who competed in the FAI 5-a-side soccer tournaments held in Shiven Rovers.

FAI Soccer Tournament

Tag Rugby

On 2nd February, 3rd and 4th classes took part in a Tag Rugby blitz in Creggs RFC. With 40 teams taking part it was a very busy day! Congrats to everyone involved!

Tag Rugby

Mini Sevens

Our 4th-6th class pupils took part in the Mini 7s football, hurling and camogie competitions. Well done to all involved!

Mini Sevens

Celebrating Success Outside of the School

The pupils of Ballygar N.S take part in a  number of sporting activities outside of school. We love to celebrate their success and we hope that this will encourage and inform pupils about the wide variety of activities in our locality.

Sporting Achievements

Ballygar Hurling Club County Champions

Our victorious Junior A team paid a special visit to Ballygar N.S with their silverware. Congratulations and well deserved to an amazing team!

Junior A Champions Visit Ballygar NS

2018/19

Galway GAA

Brian Hanley from Galway GAA visits our school to coaches pupils from 1st-6th class. Brian helps the pupils to develop their hurling skills.

Also from Galway GAA is Thomas Hughes. Thomas also coaches pupils from 1st-6th class. Thomas helps the pupils to develop their football skills.

Michael Glennon visits our school to share his skills and knowledge of tag rugby

These trainers are a wonderful asset to our school. They help develop the children’s hurling, football and rugby skills in a really fun and enjoyable way.

Meet Our Active School Committee

Our ACF committee was set up at the beginning of this process. The committee comprises of ten pupils from Junior Infants to sixth class. The committee meets once a month to discuss upcoming ASF news and events, read the suggestions from the suggestion box, organise events and promote activities in our school. The pupils from 4th -6th class are also trained playground leaders. They playground leader groups meet every Monday to plan and organise the playground games for the coming week. The committee and playground leaders work very hard, they are an invaluable assist to Ms. Hanley the ASF coordinator.

Champions!!! Winners of Cumann na mBunscol Final

What Club Are You In?

The senior pupils from our Active School Committee conducted a ‘What Club Are You In?’ survey. This helped us all to become aware of the various opportunities for physical activity in the local community. Please see our survey results below : )

active schools survey

Feile

Well done to our pupils past and present who have won the U14 Feile football

 St. Brendan’s Ladies

St. Brendan’s ladies football team visited our school with their silverware!  Galway County Champions and Connaught Champions. What a fantastic achievement. We are very proud!

The Irish Press Cup

On 1st October we had a very special visitor.  All Ireland Galway Minor champion Michael Flynn visited our school with the Irish Press cup.  There was great excitement on the day.  Michael spoke to the children and answered questions on fitness, training, diet and the All Ireland final.  Thank you to Michael Flynn and to Ronan Muldoon and Frank Harkins from Ballygar Hurling club for organising the visit.

Champions!!! Winners of Colaiste Mhuire Blitz

Our 5th and 6th class were crowned champions in a soccer tournament organised by Coláiste Mhuire on January 24th. We bet off stiff competition from 23 teams on the day and competed against a number of local primary schools. We competed in a fantastic playoff and were delighted that the victory was ours on the day. A great day was had by all and we would like to tank Mr Curran and the transition year students for organising such a splendid tournament.

FAI Soccer Tournament

Well done to our boys soccer team who competed in the FAI soccer tournament in Shiven Rovers on the 2nd of April. The boys put on a great display of skills and were narrowly defeated in penalty shootouts to qualify for a semi-final. Our girls also competed in the FAI East Galway league in shieven Rovers on the 27th of March. The girls  also did extremely well on the day. Well done to all involved

Tag Rugby Blitz Creggs

3rd and 4th class travelled to Creggs on Friday 5th March to partake in a tag rugby blitz. There were 25 teams in total taking part. The boys and girls of Ballygar N.S put on a super performance and they really enjoyed the day. Well done!

Celebrating Success Outside of School

The pupils of Ballygar N.S take part in a number of activities outside school. We love to celebrate their success and we hope that this will encourage and inform  pupils about  the variety of activities available in our locality.

Contact Details for Local Clubs

There is something for everyone so stay active, stay fit and get involved!

Active Schools Week 2023

Day 1

We kick started our Active Schools Week by walking a mile with a smile around our beautiful active walkway. Following this, each class had a session with Athlone Gymnastics Club.

Our special guest of the day was All-Ireland winning gymnast, Rory Connolly. Rory brought along his medals to show the children and spoke about his training and hopes for the future.

We finished the day with some fun games and activities set up by 5th and 6th class. What an amazing start to the week!!

Day 2

We had another fun filled day of games and activities.

Each class had a fantastic session of badminton with our very own All-Ireland champion, Ms Hanley.

We also had a very special visit from Galway Minor Hurling star, Harry Holmes. 

Finally 6th class took on the teachers in a thrilling game of soccer. The game finished 4-3 in favour of the students!

Day 3 Sports Day

We had a fantastic day of fun in the sun for our annual Sports Day. 

Day 4

We finished our Active Schools Week with another jam packed day of activities.

We walked another mile with a smile, did Hip Hop, played games, went swimming and challenged the teachers!

We had an amazing week of fun and fitness!

Active Schools Week 2021

Take a look at some of the fun and exciting activities we participated in during ASW 2021!

ASW 2021

Sports Day 2021

Active Schools Week 2019

Active Schools Week Timetable

 Take On The Teachers

Circuits

Taster Session- Golf Ireland

Taster Session- Basketball Ireland

Ultimate Frisbee

Orienteering

Obstacle course 

WOW /COW challenge

Walk A Mile With A Smile : )