Physical Activities
Active Break Challenge
In November the whole school took part in the Active Break Challenge. Each class committed to doing extra movement breaks every day for four weeks. These did not include break time or PE. The children could choose from Dance Breaks, Running Breaks, Walking Breaks or Exercise Breaks. Each class had an Active Break Chart on their door which they used to their Active Breaks each day.
National Fitness Day 2022
As part of European School Sports Day on September the 30th the whole school took part in 10@10. Ten minutes of exercise at 10AM. Take a look at the video below to see us exercising together to some of our favourite active classroom break videos.
The whole school then went to the school hall for Wake Up Shake Up.
We also took part in Take on the Teachers. The teachers challenged 6th class to a Basketball Hoop Challenge. The whole school had a great time cheering everyone on.
Active Assembly
In the afternoon the pupils took part in an active assembly and learned lots of fun action songs.
Active Math’s Week
6th Class had so much fun combining Active Schools with Math’s Week activities.
New Changing Room
We have a newly built changing room adjacent to our pitch. This has been a wonderful resource for our many school teams.
Obstacle Course
To increase the options for physical activities in our school yard we have installed an obstacle course made from repurposed tyres and logs. The course is designed so that it may be used as a loop or with two competing teams.
Our Active Walkway
Our active walkway/ running track goes around our pitch and grass play area. It is used by classes each day to run or walk a lap or two as a movement break and at lunch times for children who like to do their talking while their walking. We have also installed an exercise circuit with activities such as lunges, plank and jumping jacks to add a further challenge along the track.
Peadar O’ Liathain Girls Football Team
The team is made up of pupils from 3rd and 4th classes. They are trained by Ms. Howard and Mr. Fitzsimons. The girls won the tournament for a second year in a row in an incredible final held on the 2nd February 2023. The team were well matched by St. Columbanus' National School - Ballivor who led at half time. Boardsmill fought back in the second half and were the victors on the day.
Peadar O’ Liathain Girls Camogie Team
The team is made up of girls from 3rd and 4th classes and Ms. Howard and Mr. Fitzsimons train the team. This year the winning streak continued for Boardsmill with a hard fought win over Kildalkey in the camogie tournament. A superb final was held on the 21st April 2023 and the Boardsmill girls won by a point.
Active Breaks
All classes take part in active breaks throughout the school day. This includes Go-Noodle, Bizzy Breaks, 10@10 and a variety of active classroom activities.
On a wet day, if pupils cannot go outside at break time, extra time will be given to movement breaks in the classroom. We used some classroom based activities from Get Ireland Active and gave each class teacher a copy.
Playground Leaders
The children from 6th class are our playground leaders. They lead children in junior and senior infants in fun playground games to help them make new friends and learn new games to play. We came up with a list of playground games and displayed instructions on how to play them on the front window of the school.
Active Lines
The children are encouraged to be active as they are standing in line. Children from 5th class lead this.
Run Around Ireland Challenge
The children have been taking part in the Run around Ireland Challenge. The children run on our Active School Walkway and the teachers count the laps ran. Ms Howard and Ms O’ Regan collect the totals for each week.
Do Your Talking While You’re Walking
We have introduced ‘Do your talking while you’re walking’ into our playground breaks to encourage pupils who, even if they just want to chat, can do so while walking to make sure they are keeping active.
Boardsmill N.S. Camogie team
The girls are taking part in the Cumann na mBunscol Camogie League. The team which is made up of fourth, fifth and sixth class girls.
Boardsmill NS Hurling Team
Mr Battersby trains the team which is made up of children from fourth, fifth and sixth class.
Cross Country Running
The children took part in the cross country running event at Bellewestown racecourse in November 2022. Mrs Dobie and Ms Hughes organise cross country in our school.
Boardsmill NS Girls Football Team
The girls take part in the Cumann na mBunscol League in the first term of the new school year. Ms Howard and Ms O’ Regan train the team which is made up of fourth, fifth and sixth class girls.