Active School Flag
Active School Flag (ASF) is a Department of Education initiative supported by Healthy Ireland and part of the National Physical Activity Plan.
The ASF initiative provides schools with a framework to guide, support and incentivise them to work towards achieving a physically educated and physically active school community.
Once awarded, ASF remains valid for a period of 3 years, after which time schools are invited to re-engage with the process.
Our aim is to promote physical activity in a FUN, positive and inclusive way.
For the academic year of 2024/2025, we are working hard towards achieving our 3rd Active Flag.
There are four key areas to the ‘Active School Programme – our physical education lessons, physical activity at other times of the day, getting everyone involved and having an Active School Week.
Newtown Junior School’s Physical Education
The Physical Education Curriculum is an integral part of our teaching and learning in Newtown Junior School. Pupils are given the opportunity to complete AT LEAST one hour of PE in school each week. The children have also been engaging in P.E. lessons with instructors from D.K.A.M. Gymnatics, Athletics, Villa F.C., Gaelic Football, cycling and 6 weeks of Swimming in Newtown Senior School pool. Included in these lessons was our focus on fundamental movements of Kicking, Running, Hopping, Throwing and Balance.
These are just some examples of the fun and innovative lessons the children engage in including the Land Paws Water Safety program :-
https://www.njs.ie/land-paws-water-safety/
https://www.njs.ie/active-infants/
https://www.njs.ie/soccer-workshop/
https://www.njs.ie/pancake-tossing-compeition/
https://www.njs.ie/12-days-of-fitmas-in-n-j-s/
https://www.njs.ie/clan-playground-games/
https://www.njs.ie/peace-proms-prep/
https://www.njs.ie/gymnastics/
https://www.njs.ie/sixth-class-cycling-workshop/
Sam Colquhoun in 2nd class created our Active School Slogan!
Our Active Flag Committee 2024-2025
The Active Flag Committee gathered information from all the pupils about the sports the students of N.J.S. play and the sports clubs they are in. See the results below.
Our House Clan System and Physical Activity
Congratulations to Joshua, Jack, Hugo and Gus who won medals in the Primary Athletics races in the Waterford Sports Centre.
Skip Around Europe
The whole school participated in a 4 week ‘Skip Around Europe’ challenge. We paired the Senior classes with the Junior classes and skipped with our skipping buddies every day. In total we skipped a whopping 205, 725 skips and our skipping skills really improved!
Active Walkway and Orienteering
We are delighted to have our Active Walkway installed this year by our fantastic care taker John. 5th class students created amazing aerials maps of the school grounds which includes all 14 control points for the walkway. Classes are enjoying using the walkway and becoming more active throughout the school day. Ms Stapleton completed continuous development in the Orienteering strand within the P.E. Curriculum and used the knowledge from this to further develop the use of the walk way for Orienteering activities.
5th Class also have completed an orienteering course in the People’s Park while 6th class completed an excercise scavenger hunt on the school grounds.
All classes completed Orienteering activities as part of Active School week.
Active School Week in Newtown Junior School
We have had a busy Active School week here in N.J.S.
This week’s Collect by Ms Stapleton was based on encouraging good sportsmanship, fair play and teamwork. The whole school created phrases to say to each other at the beginning and end of games and matches to demonstrate good sportsmanship. Students are also encouraged to give a handshake, fist bump or high five to each other.
On Monday we completed clan playground games which revised our fundamental movements of hopping, balance, underarm throw and kicking. The clan captains and co-captains were instructors for each playground game and they did a fantastic job!
4th class also participated in a Hockey taster session ran by Indie Kelly’s mum Georgie!
On Tuesday the girls from 3rd – 6th class were so lucky to have a visit from Waterford F.C.’s goalie Maeve Williams and Colin Power the Head of Community Development for Waterford F.C. The girls enjoyed a football match with Maeve as well.
On Wednesday the whole school completed Junior and Senior Orienteering activities in the garden and astro-turf developing the skills of map reading, orientation and directions. All classes then completed the Junior or Senior Riddles on our Active Walkway.
On Thursday, all the staff and students walked with their skipping buddies to the People’s Park and completed a 1 kilometre lap around the park. The weather was magnificent!
On Friday, all classes participated in an Athletics lesson to practice their fundamental movement skills with DKAM Athletics. We also held a tug of war between the staff and 6th class. Finally, the whole school completed a rock the boat on the astro-turf. What an amazing, Active Week we have had here in N.J.S.!
Active School’s Week Homework
The grid below is the active homework students will complete for Active School’s week. This includes our three fundamental movements of throwing, balance and kicking. Let’s get active!
A huge well done to those who completed the Active School’s week homework and send in photos!
Partnerships
We have formed strong partnerships with a variety of clubs and organizations this year at Newtown Junior School. Students have enjoyed Physical Education sessions from a variety of clubs and instructors such as the G.A.A., Villa F.C., D.K.A.M. Gymnastics, Athletics, Basketball with John Loftus, Hockey, Dance and much more!
Our children’s parents also play a key role in ensuring our students stay active. Many parents have volunteered to give taster sessions for Hockey, Tennis, Basketball. We encourage parents to email in photos of our students staying active after school and ensure students are engaging in P.E. homework.
We also have a strong connection with Newtown Senior School and are lucky to have access to the Senior School swimming pool and the grounds for our school Sports Day and for other activities such as athletics trials and nature walks.
Waterford Sports Partnership
Newtown Junior School has also formed an invaluable connection with the Waterford Sports Partnership Team. They are employed to carry out the work of Waterford Sports Partnership to develop opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity in Waterford.
Their Mission is that, together, we make Waterford a place that has a positive culture of people playing sport and being active. The partnership want people to enjoy participating and the many benefits it brings to their health, happiness and our community. Activities include cycling, walking , orienteering, park runs and swimming initiatives for all age groups and abilities. Click on the following link to visit their website.
Waterford Sports Partnership, Ireland
We were so lucky to particpate in the balance bike rental scheme from Waterford Sports Partnership and cycling safety lessons for Bike Week 2025!
