Piercestown N.S. is always a hive of physical activity. As we journey through the process of being a recognised Active School however, we endeavour to give children a taste of the wider activities that exist.
Every day at 11.10am all children in the school participate in Active Lines. This is where all classes, lead by the Active Committee, participate in exercise for counts up to ‘uimhir a fiche’ and back to ‘uimhir a haon’. Monday we participate in ‘tuck jumps’, Tuesdays ‘sidesteps’, Wednesday ‘Jumping Jacks’, Thursdays ‘sidesteps’ and Fridays ‘elbows to knees’. The active committee will change this rota in the new year to mix it up for us and keep it interesting. So if you happen to pass by our school at 11.10am don’t forget to join in!!!!!!
Here is a diary of our physical activity for this school year 2017 2018.
March 2018
Our seachtain na Gaeilge will hold a ‘rith’ where children will take part in a run of the school field! Watch this space!
Mini 7’s hurling/camogie, Rackard league hurling/camogie and the new 3rd/4th class league hurling will be in full flight.
Mini 7s dates announced: Round 1
Girls are out in force on Tues 20th March at home in St. Martin’s; throw in
Boys follow hot on their heels on Thurs 22nd March at 12.45pm throw in in Killurin.
3rd and 4th class hurling league starts Wed 14th after being snowed off Wed 7th March
Rounders girls and boys are out to place: date TBC
Swimming will start for 3rd class!!! Keep an eye out for the next Michael Phelps as 3rd class make a ‘splash’!
February 2018
‘Exerciseathon’ – Originally, we planned to do a ‘Walkathon’. This was as a fundraiser for Chernobyl Children International as our 6th class teacher was heading to Vesnova over her mid term break to work in one of the orphanages. We raised a staggering €3500!!!!!!!! What an achievement! On the day of our planned walk, the clouds hovered dauntingly, and plan B had to be created. We transformed the ‘Walkathon’ into an ‘Exerciseathon’ and all 211 children and their staff at Piercestown N.S. got active. We even made the People Paper on several pages!!! Well done to all who participated and supported this worthy cause. We were delighted to get fit and active and raise funds at the same time.
Roll up, roll up, who is ready for Rounders? !
All 5th and 6th class girls and boys are invited to join Rounders training with Ms. Lyttleton and Ms. Cooney after school starting Friday 23rd February! Last year, saw the girls compete and get knocked out at semi final level. Rumour has it they have their eye on the gold this year! The under 13 Community games rounders team were victorious in winning the All Ireland last year!
January 2018
After a highly successful football season for 2017, our ‘Medal Giving Ceremony’ was organised for Fri 26th. The sporting success of November 2017 was acknowledged and celebrated on January 26th, with pupils from Murrintown N.S. coming to Piercestown for the medal giving ceremony. Invited guest speakers included Kevin Waters, Chairman of the Rackard League Committee, Ciarán Lyng, Wexford footballer and past pupil of Piercestown N.S, Anthony Masterson, Wexford GAA Gaelic Football GDA officer, Fiona Hayes, Chairperson of St. Martin’s ladies football, Susie Maddock, Chairperson of St. Martin’s Camogie and Lauren Carty, member of ladies winning intermediate football team. There was silver ware presented to Rackard league boys’ team, Rising Stars boys’ team, Rackard league girls’ team and last, but by no means least, the Mini 7’s girls’ team. It was a great afternoon and the skill of the children on the pitch earned both schools a night off homework on Monday! Many thanks to all parents who make the transport to these games possible, to the teachers who train teams and cover classes and to the children themselves for their commitment. Hurling/camogie training at the wall in the mornings before school in conjunction with our local GAA club, St. Martin’s, has started already with gusto!
December 2017
Karaoke and Disco for Christmas
The day of the Christmas holidays is always a much anticipated day for the boys and girls of Piercestown N.S. Tradition remains in tact and each year, the holidays are celebrated with a class disco and karaoke! Word has it all of our dancing at the assemblies is starting to pay off!
12 Days of Fitness
Having teamed up with Health Promoting Schools initiative by the HSE, we have even more resources to avail of. One of their fun Christmas resources, was the 12 days of Christmas transformed into the ’12 Days of Fitness’. Rumour has it that the levels of fitness may not have been up to scratch among some of the staff, who struggled to get through the 12 days!!! Holidays were definitely needed at the end of that experience!
November 2017
November was a sports galore month
Mini 7’s and Rackard League Football Final for the girls:
First up, in Patrick’s Park, were the Girls Mini 7’s finalists. Unfortunately, the girls were literally pipped at the post by one single point. A huge achievement in itself however, was securing a place in the final. Well done to Ms. Hearne and the girls. They very quickly dusted themselves off that night and lined out to play a Rackard league semi final the next day, securing a place in the Rackard league football final against Taghmon. Unfortunately, lady luck was not on their side and they once again came off runners up but overall a hugely successful year for girls football.
Rackard League Football Final for the boys:
Following the disappointment of the girls match, there were scenes of delight and jubilation with the boys of Piercestown and Murrintown teaming up to defeat local rivals Rathangan by one point. It was a Trojan performance and we look forward to the medal giving ceremony.
Rising Stars Football Final:
Huge congratulations also to our Rising Stars football finalists who also brought home a cup, having played a great game against Rathangan. They proudly represented their school and were well-deserved winners on the day.
October 2017
Senior Camogie Champions – CelebrationsThere were scenes of delight and jubilation at Piercestown N.S. when Maura O’Connor and some members of the Senior Camogie team arrived with their cup following their victory. Having been crowned County Champions for the first time in their history, the sound of ‘We are the Champions’ echoed around the school. It was an even greater privilege to acknowledge the large number of team members who are past pupils of our school. Ms. Hearne, in particular was praised for all of her work over the years with the girls throughout their primary school experience. We hope that their inspiration will motivate many of our current pupils to follow in their footsteps and pursue County titles in the future. St. Martin’s Abú!!!!!!
Senior Hurling Champions – best of luck for the double!!The winning streak continued with the Senior hurling team having a significant victory over long time reigning champions Oulart the Ballagh. Having not won a senior title, since 2008, some of the panel recalled being in Junior infant back in 2008 when the cup arrived at Piercestown. Similar to the camogie team, it was an honour for the school to have such large representation on the team. We were also privileged to have parents involved such as Ian Mernagh, coach, Tomás Codd, manager, Philip Jeffares, physio, John O’Connor, Donal Howlin to mention just a few. We would like to take this opportunity to wish the Senior team the best of luck against the Starlights this Sunday in their pursuit of the double. With two nights off homework as a result of the Camogie and Hurling victories, the whole school population is rooting for you even more!!!
Sport UpdatesThe St. Martin’s community is one of celebration, motivation and inspiration at the minute. Inspired by the Senior Camogie and hurling team with their County titles, Piercestown boys and girls have progressed to the Semi final of the Rackard League with the boys defeating Bree and Piercestown claiming victory over local rivals Rathangan. . At the time of going to press, Piercestown N.S. are also ready to play their Mini 7s Semi final tomorrow. Best of luck to Ms. Hearne and the girls. We are delighted to be participating in the GAA coaching at the minute from Junior Infants to 2nd class. We look forward to continuing this coaching until Christmas.
Freaky Friday Walk
Every year, the Green School Committee and the Active School committee join forces to create the ‘Freaky Friday Walk’ event. This looks at children walking to school from our local community centre, thus combining green travel and activity. This year saw children even wear costumes from recycled materials such as ‘cereal killers!!!!!!!!!!’. We will do another walk later in the year as part of Active Week called the ‘Funky Feet’ walk. The summer season allows us to be more creative with our footwear. Word has it Ms. Walsh developed ‘Gruffalo’s feet’ for the 2017 Funky Feet Walk!!!!!!!
Maths Week – Maths? What has this got to do with Active School??!
While you initially might be confused as to the link between Maths and Active School, Maths is one of the many subjects that in fact provides ample opportunity for activity and exercise. Many classes were seen out and about in the environment conducting ‘Maths trails’ as part of Maths Week. 4th class children were exploring the grounds of Piercestown N.S. using both their energy and technology in creating ‘Maths Eyes’ experiences for other classes. And while you might have thought 1st class and 3rd class had several PE lessons in the hall during Maths Week 2017, they were actually involved in Active Maths, combining activity and exercise and problem solving. Sounds like the perfect combination to us!!!
September 2017
GAA coaching ****IMPORTANT FOR 1st – 4th class parents GAA coaching has returned to the school. Following requests from parents, it has been decided that 1st-4th class will change to hurling starting Fri 6th Oct. Therefore children will need hurleys and helmets to participate. Junior and senior infants need not purchase this equipment as they are still learning the fundamental movement skills.
Run Around Europe Challenge
September got off to a flying start by the whole school participating in a ‘RUNNING ‘ initiative. This was called the ‘Run Around Europe Challenge’ as part of European Sports Week. . The rules were simple: 1 lap = 1 km.
If you have 35 children in your class and they do 10 laps- that equals 350 laps completed.
We can tot up the laps from each class and figure out what city we ran to from Dublin!
I will do up a chart on the Active Board where you can get your children to record how many laps as a class you have completed each day!
Ready….Steady…..Go!!!!!
Remember ‘Walk, Run, Jump or Skip’ – Come on Piercestown Let’s Get
Timetable of Coaching
Coaching Timetable 2017 2018
Walk, run, jump or skip come on Piercestown Let’s Get Fit!
| Month | Activity | Classes involved | Dates |
| September 2017 | GAA coaching
Rugby |
Junior infants to 4th class
5th and 6th class |
15th Sept (every Friday) until midterm
8th Sept (every Fri) x 6 weeks |
| October 2017 | GAA coaching
Stretch and Grow
Rugby |
Junior infants to 4th class
Junior and Senior Infants
5th and 6th class |
15th Sept (every Friday) until midterm
18th Oct – 13th Dec (Wednesdays)
8th Sept (every Fri) x 6 weeks |
| November 2017 | GAA coaching
Stretch and Grow |
Junior infants to 4th class
Junior and Senior Infants |
9th Nov (every Thursday) until Christmas
18th Oct – 13th Dec (Wednesdays) |
| December 2017 | GAA coaching
Stretch and Grow |
Junior infants to 4th class
Junior and Senior Infants |
9th Nov (every Thursday) until Christmas
18th Oct – 13th Dec (Wednesdays) |
| January 2018 | Gymnastics | 1st -6th (excluding 3rd class) | 19th Jan – 16th March (Friday)
|
| February 2018 | Gymnastics | 1st -6th (excluding 3rd class) | 19th Jan – 16th March (Friday)
|
| March 2018 | Gymnastics
Swimming |
1st -6th (excluding 3rd class)
3rd class |
19th Jan – 16th March (Friday)
14th March (Wednesday) x 10 weeks
|
| April 2018 | Swimming | 3rd class | See above |
| May 2018 | Swimming | 3rd class | See above |
Piercestown National School 