Our school community received our first Active School Flag Award in 2019. We achieved this by increasing levels of physical activities in our daily lives (both in school and at home), looking at specific areas of the PE curriculum, ensuring that all aspects of the curriculum are being taught and creating links with sporting agencies and community groups in our local area. The main goal of participating in this scheme is that a sense of health, well-being and physical activity will continue to be fostered in our school. We are currently in the process of renewing our Active Flag.
After some general information about our work towards achieving an Active Flag, you will find on-going updates of our progress in four categories:
and
- Our ASF co-ordinator oversees a committee comprised of staff members and pupils.
- Discretionary time throughout the year is being used by teachers and qualified coaches to coach the children in a range of non-competitive activities including individual and team sports. For example, swimming lessons are taking place for 1st class and above in the third term. Gaelic football and hurling skills are taught after school as well as athletics and basketball.
- Each class is provided with at least 1 hour of timetabled Physical Education per week. This is comprised of at least two 30-minute lessons.
- Our PE Curriculum Policy was drafted by teachers as part of the Active School Flag process in 2018. It was ratified by the Board of Management. This plan will be reviewed and amended by staff on a regular basis. All staff members have access to the PE plan as well as the PDST lesson plans for teaching all aspects of the PE curriculum.
- An audit of all PE equipment was made and an itemised list ongoing acquisition of new equipment takes place.
- The specific area of focus within the curriculum was the Games Strand for our first Active Flag. This year the school is focusing on the Dance Strand for our flag renewal.
- We are aware of the importance of being physically active on rainy days when the children cannot play outside. If the children are unable to go outside due to rain, each teacher ensures that he or she gets at least 10 minutes of physical activity that day. Each class has a ‘Go-noodle’ or ‘Just Dance’ account.
- We are incorporating physical activity into our everyday lessons. For example, as part of Maths Week, all classes went on an maths trail. Walks around Knocknacarra, Cappagh Park and Bearna Woods have become more active and fun as well as educational.
- We have an ASF notice board whereby we inform our school community of our progress to date and any upcoming school events.
- All the children and staff love to dance in KETNS. We have explored dance at events such as the Halloween disco, Christmas disco. Every Friday the children dance in the yard listening to music on the school’s “party rocker” using a school’s playlist.
- We have liaised with the Health Promotion Officer with the HSE, and our school co-ordinator attended a Health Promotion Healthy School’s activity day in March 2018. All staff are aware of the importance of a healthy and balanced diet along with an active lifestyle.
- The KETNS yard is kept very busy. All the children are encouraged to run and travel freely around the yard. Ball and tag games are permitted and encouraged. The older children often teach the younger children new and exciting games. Yard markings were painted by a volunteer parent last in Spring 2019. The yard is divided into zones to facilitate different activities such as basketball, soccer, four square, skipping rope and running games.
- The school creates opportunities to exercise where emphasis in on fun e.g. active line where the children do different activities every morning during small break. Each day a different child from each class leads the activity. All classes engage in Busy Breaks throughout the day.
- Classes regularly take running breaks, and in the past we participated in a challenge of running around Europe.
- Every Thursday the children get ‘active homework’ where they are encouraged to get not only themselves physically active but also their other family members physically active too.
- The school has sent teams of students to hurling and soccer blitzes. An athletics team has represented the school at Galway City Sports. We are in the process of purchasing sports kits for school teams.
- Active School Week takes place annually in May.
Physical Education
PE classes in Spring
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WhatsApp-Image-2023-05-29-at-17.27.00-300x225.jpeg)
Swimming and Water Safety
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Hoops-1-300x225.jpg)
Fun with the Hoops
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230322_113019-300x169.jpg)
Creative Dance with Matt
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3518-300x225.jpg)
Corpoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge le Ger
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PE-300x225.jpg)
1st Class Outdoor PE
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Catch-300x225.jpg)
Catching and Throwing
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Irish-Dancing-Collage-1536x1536-1-296x300.jpg)
Damhsa Gaelach/Irish Dancing in Rang a Dó
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PE-pic-scaled-e1675792388875-300x225.jpg)
Athletics in First Class
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/IMG_20230113_112911-300x225.jpg)
Creative Dance in Rang a 3
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/20230202_132853-300x169.jpg)
Gymnastics with Senior Infants
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PXL_20230125_142433422-169x300.jpg)
Games: Fifth Class playing basketball
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PXL_20230124_094444347-169x300.jpg)
Gymnastics with Senior Infants
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20221202_121400-1-300x169.jpg)
New PE equipment
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220528_124257-3-300x139.jpg)
Obstacle course at the Spring Fair
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/20220401_134041-1-300x135.jpg)
Physical Education (PE) with Second Class
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20220126_114813-300x225.jpg)
PE with 5th Class in the winter sun
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PE2-225x300.jpg)
Balancing !
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG-20210420-WA0001-300x225.jpg)
Junior Infants PE Outside
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_7822-300x225.jpg)
Animal Games with our new Junior Infants
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_7840-300x225.jpg)
European Schools Sports Day
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5562-300x225.jpg)
Junior Infants doing Yoga for PE
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_5265-300x225.jpg)
Ball games in the Yard
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_5183-300x225.jpg)
Physical Education (PE) with Fourth Class
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_4746-300x225.jpg)
Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow….
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_4652-300x225.jpg)
Junior Infants doing Target Throws
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_2050-e1571826075431-225x300.jpg)
Physical Education (PE) Inside School and Out
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/PE_JI_1-e1571739051340-300x169.jpg)
Junior Infants having fun with Bean Bags
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/tues_8_oct_1class_3-169x300.jpg)
More Basketball drills
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/wed_2_oct_1Class_5-225x300.jpg)
In door ball games
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/82209382-2ca0-497c-8acd-b6721e93df8f-1-300x225.jpg)
European School Sports Day
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/yoga-with-ranya-partnership-jun-infants-300x225.jpg)
Yoga with Ranya
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/MayPE_JI_1-300x236.jpg)
May Good Weather Physical Education – PE
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/PE_games_1st-class-300x225.jpg)
Physical Education Classes in March
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/190a50a8-8420-40be-a11d-0c8d1d341878-225x300.jpg)
Visits to Barna Woods and Cappagh Park
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Capture-300x242.jpg)
Draft PE Curriculum Plan
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/fe2e62a1-7c0b-44f9-b092-532be6c8225b-300x225.jpg)
European School Sport Day
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_3924-300x225.jpg)
New Facilities and New Opportunities to be Active!
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_3594-e1541944212922-225x300.jpg)
Sports Day
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/PHOTO-2018-07-04-21-02-14-1-300x225.jpg)
2nd Class PE at Miller’s Lane
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_2689-300x225.jpg)
Soccer on the Beach
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_2578-e1541939325701-225x300.jpg)
Swim-a-Mile Challenge
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/a97cbac9-b511-4c5e-8b2a-9c54122a1536-e1522360555246-278x300.jpg)
Seachtain na Gaeilge
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_3036-300x225.jpg)
PE Classes
Physical Activity
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/table-tennis-300x153.jpg)
European School Sports Day
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230615_110142-300x169.jpg)
Sports Day 2023
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Catch-3-300x225.jpg)
Junior Yard Activities
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230607_131856-300x169.jpg)
City Sports
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_4007-e1685306773235-300x225.jpg)
Junior Infants using the Active School Walkway
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3982-e1684957061979-300x225.jpg)
Training for City Sports
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3978-300x225.jpg)
Running Initiatives
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230419_111833_resized-300x169.jpg)
FAI 5-a-side Competition
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230323_131621-300x169.jpg)
Soccer League
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20221202_131055-scaled-e1674563867264-300x191.jpg)
Yard Zones
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20221130_125603_2-scaled-e1674650704885-300x169.jpg)
New soccer goals
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221116_132545-300x135.jpg)
Bizzy Breaks
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Teachers-busy-breaks-Lisa_2-300x225.jpeg)
Bizzy Breaks – School Staff start a trend
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/IMG_20221028_125405-300x225.jpg)
Fun Friday Halloween Disco
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/IMG_20221028_131814-300x225.jpg)
Halloween Active Line
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220930_120409-225x300.jpg)
European Day of Sports
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/4_2yoga-300x225.jpg)
All School Yoga
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG-20210423-WA0004-1-300x225.jpg)
Circus Skills in Barna Woods
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG-20210421-WA0001-1-300x225.jpg)
Active Line Activity in the April Sun
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG-20210421-WA0003-300x225.jpg)
Junior Infants and Second Class Participating in Busy Breaks
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_9099-300x225.jpg)
Active line activities during December sunshine!
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_9068-300x225.jpg)
Junior and senior infants completing their daily run!
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_8905-1-300x225.jpg)
Fourth Class get Active by running around the yard.
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Ciara-2-300x154.png)
Virtual Sports Day: Activity 5 – Throwing Games
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Target-kick-300x203.png)
Virtual Sports Day: Challenge 4 – Target roll and kick
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Yoga-300x149.png)
Virtual Sports Day: Activity 3 – Yoga
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Ronan-virtual-sports-day-300x162.png)
Virtual Sports Day: Activity 2 – Penalty Shoot-out
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Vivienne-virtual-sports-day-300x169.png)
Virtual Sports Day: Activity 1 – Skipping
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Neil-1-300x243.png)
Can you spin a basketball?
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/active-myriad-213x300.jpg)
Staying active during the Lockdown
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_5008-300x225.jpg)
Junior Infants having fun on a cool January morning
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_4764-300x225.jpg)
Whole School Assembly
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_4251-300x225.jpg)
Physical Activity in the Autumn Sun
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/82209382-2ca0-497c-8acd-b6721e93df8f-1-300x225.jpg)
European School Sports Day
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_3834-300x225.jpg)
Physical Activity During Yard Time
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Pyjama-Day_1-300x225.jpg)
The Whole School completing Active Line during Pyjama Day
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Disco_3-300x225.jpg)
Friday Discos
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/yard-games-_feb-300x217.jpg)
Yard Games
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_3921-300x225.jpg)
Friday Discos
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/a396c75a-7596-4dd0-92fb-a7877c944c84-225x300.jpg)
WOW – Walk on Wednesdays
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/gaelicfootball-300x154.jpg)
Afterschool Clubs
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_2755-300x225.jpg)
Run Around Europe Challenge
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_2574-e1541942013544-225x300.jpg)
Yard Time in the Sunshine
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_20180423_184537-225x300.jpg)
Active Homework
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_3169-300x225.jpg)
Active Line Leader Jackets
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_2414-e1522360860898-256x300.jpg)
After-school Clubs
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_2471-300x225.jpg)
Whole-School Running Challenge
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_2406-300x225.jpg)
Rainy Day Breaks
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_2965-300x225.jpg)
Active Line
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_2326-300x225.jpg)
Friday Yard Discos
Active School Week
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230503_121425-300x169.jpg)
Active School Week 2023: Folk Dance with Matt
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WhatsApp-Image-2023-05-29-at-13.20.39-300x225.jpeg)
Active School Week 2023: Races
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230323_112738-300x169.jpg)
Active School Week 2023: Our Final Class with Laura
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Parachute-1-300x225.jpg)
Active School Week 2023: Parachute and Playground Games
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/BB-3-300x225.jpg)
Active School Week 2023: Basketball with Hector
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230424_112157_resized-300x169.jpg)
Active School Week 2023: Connaught Rugby
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Active-Schools-Week-Logo-p64wac3rl12pqoo3ic6dm71ovxnfpwp2hnrv7pcxag-300x132.png)
Active School Week 2023 Timetable
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/photocollage_2021430115339275-1-300x300.jpg)
This is what Third Class got up to during Active School Week
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG-20210504-WA0004-300x225.jpg)
Fourth Class enjoying Active School Week
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG-20210504-WA0008-300x225.jpg)
Fifth class and their Active School week activities
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_0231-1-300x225.jpg)
More throwing and catching with our Junior Infants
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG-20210504-WA0024-1-300x225.jpg)
Active School Thursday
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG-20210506-WA0000-225x300.jpg)
First Class practicing their ball skills over Active School week
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_5990-300x225.jpg)
This is What Second Class did over Active School week
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_0224-300x225.jpg)
Active School Week – Active Wednesday for our Junior Infants
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_0200-300x225.jpg)
Active School Week – Throwing and Catching in Junior Infants
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG-20210426-WA0005-1-300x225.jpg)
Active School Week – First Class Learning how to Skip
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/PA-run-around-europe_3rd-class-1-300x225.jpg)
Active School Week, Run Around Europe Challenge
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/After-school-week-_Angela-Fitness-training-1-e1569583223697-300x146.jpg)
Active School Week, Yoga and Fitness Training
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/After-school-week_Rugby-skills-Jonah-dad_2-1-e1569582260354-300x146.jpg)
Active School Week with Galway Bay Rugby Club
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_4623-1-300x225.jpg)
Active School Week, Yard Games
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Martin-may-7th-1-e1569498615423-225x300.jpg)
Active School Week, Soccer with guest soccer coaches
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/PXBZ2003-225x300.jpg)
Active School Week: Ball Game Stations
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/GOQV0652-225x300.jpg)
Active School Week: Walking Bus
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_3287-225x300.jpg)
Active School Week: Infants Obstacle Course
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_3262-300x225.jpg)
Active School Week: Rainy Day Activities
Partnerships
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230607_131856-1-300x169.jpg)
New sports kits
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/347855213_944517066829032_7522567882433772841_n-300x300.jpg)
Hurling Blitz at Rahoon/Newcastle GAA
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230424_112157_resized-300x169.jpg)
Active School Week 2023: Connaught Rugby
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230323_132314-300x169.jpg)
Dance with Laura from Genevieve Ryan Dance Academy
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20221215_150346-scaled-e1674594652519-239x300.jpg)
Afterschool Clubs
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20221216_101605-scaled-e1674580717725-252x300.jpg)
Visit from an Olympic Medallist
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/20221201_121348-300x169.jpeg)
Circus Skills and Science with Galway Community Circus
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221020_105501-1-300x169.jpg)
New Committee
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20221027_101724-300x169.jpg)
Whole-School Commitment
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220520_121921-300x139.jpg)
Support from Rahoon/Newcastle GAA Club
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20211210_115326-225x300.jpg)
Gymnastics with Ranga 3
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG-20211112-WA0010-300x225.jpg)
Gymnastics with School Fitness Ireland
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211203_130821-300x225.jpg)
5th Class doing Gymnastics with School Fitness Ireland
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2_zumba1-225x300.jpg)
All school Zumba
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_9919-300x225.jpg)
School Fitness Ireland
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/bradshaw113-300x200.jpg)
Gaelic Football Skills
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/DSC_0489-300x169.jpg)
Rugby Fever !!
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/3rd-class-IMG-20200123-WA0007-300x225.jpg)
Second, Third and Fourth Class trying out Tai Chi
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/yoga-with-ranya-partnership-jun-infants-300x225.jpg)
Yoga with Ranya
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/GAA-training-with-Johnny_1-300x225.jpg)
Tuesday’s GAA training with Johnny
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/IMG_4372-300x225.jpg)
Dancing with Erris
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Badmington_jan-225x300.jpg)
Badminton Lessons with Declan
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_3594-e1541944212922-225x300.jpg)
Sports Day
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_3440-300x225.jpg)
City Sports 2018
![](https://www.ketns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_2466-e1522320701519-300x197.jpg)