Physical Activity through daily Active Movement Breaks

Since we first started out on the long road to applying for our first Active Flag at Nicker NS, we have been building (almost unknown to ourselves), a very well established and by now deeply engrained, culture of active movement breaks in our school.  As an outsider, one could find any class on any yard at any given time of the day. Active movement breaks have become a lifeline  for adults and children alike in terms of waking us up and restoring positive energy levels when we hit a slump during the day.  There seems to be always somebody running past the window!! In relation to COVID-19, Active Flag committee members in each class have their finger on the pulse with regard helping the class teachers to ensure that the CO2 monitors are in the green! When the colour changes, it’s a case of getting everyone out for some fresh air and exercise. These exercises are as follows:

• Run Around Ireland laps of the school
• Walk and Talk on the Active Walkway
• Walkway Maths
• FMS based exercises using the Move Well Move Often videos
• Games for FMS from Limerick Sports Partnership FMS booklets
• Climb the Heights skipping challenges
• 12 Days of Fitmas

Physical Activity on the Playground 

This takes the shape of a huge variety of activity such as:

• Daily movement breaks
• Break and lunchtime games like tennis, soccer, badminton, target games with hula hoops, running games such as Flush the Toilet and Band Aid tag
• Active Assembly Lines – although, in order to get the full benefit of this, the lines would be better described as a “scatter”!!

Physical Activity during Active Schools Week

Active Schools Week in May 2021 was our most comprehensive and successful to date. A full programme of activities was planned for the week from the 24th-28th May 2021. Details of this can be found in the relevant section.

Physical Activity through whole school challenges 

During the year, the Active Schools programme presents new challenges for the children to refocus their efforts on getting physically active. Key to this are the Active Every Day 4 week challenges.

The termly activities at Halloween, Christmas, Easter and Summer also provide an opportunity to get everyone involved in developing their skills as well as having fun.

Playground Leaders has also been a key driver of encouraging active playgrounds and this Wednesday activity is enjoyed by all the children in the school.