Active School Flag
APPLICATION FORM
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
1
PRIMARY School Details
Name of school
Address
Roll number
Number of pupils
Number of teachers
Boys/Girls/Mixed school
School phone number
School e-mail
School website
Is there an ASF section on school website?
Principal
ASF coordinator
Contact number
Contact e-mail
Was the school previously awarded the ASF?
Start date of ASF process
Submission date of application
Curraghagalla National School
Kilworth, Co. Cork
38
2
Mixed
025-27449
[email protected]
www.curraghagallans.com
Yes
Ms. Anne O’Sullivan
Ms. Anne O’Sullivan
025-27449
[email protected]
No
School Facilities
Yes/No Details
Large indoor hall
Small indoor hall
Large playground area
Small playground area
Grass area/Playing fields
Astroturf
Other school facilities
Community facilities
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
The school is situated in a very rural location at a distance of 5 miles from the
nearest sports facilities
Please list the community
facilities that the school uses
ASF Information evenings are hosted by the Education Centre network during the Autumn and Spring terms. It is
strongly advised that schools interested in applying for the ASF attend however it is not obligatory and it will have
no bearing on a school’s application if they are unable to attend.
ASF Presentation
Did you attend an ASF presentation?
No
If so, please state date and venue
2
Whole School Approach
Yes/No
Details
The ASF has been discussed at staff
meeting and/or school planning
sessions
Yes
For the past three years ASF has bee discussed regularly
at staff, Board of Management and Parents Association
meetings.
All pupils were informed that the
school was working towards the ASF
from the outset
Yes
Pupils were informed and held elections from third class
through to sixth class for ASF committee members.
All parents were informed that the
school was working towards the ASF
from the outset
Yes
Parents were informed and have been kept informed
through school newsletters, PA meetings and by text for
family events.
Outside agencies were informed that
the school was working towards the
ASF from the outset
Yes
HSE Health Promotion Unit, our G.A.A. coaches and
dance coach were all informed of our ambitions.
There is an Active School section on
the school website (if applicable)
Yes
There is an active schools link on our school website
detailing upcoming events and a list of our ASF initiatives
There is an Active School notice board
in the school
Yes
The ASF notice board was put in place to keep pupils
aware of the process and also to celebrate achievements
by pupils.
ASF Committee Members
Names
ASF Coordinator
Anne O’Sullivan
Teachers
Carol Duggan
Kieran McCarthy
Henry Martin
Other Staff Members
Joan O’Neill
Marie Keane
Parents
Tony Sheehan
Aisling Linehan
Pupils
Michaela O’Brien 6th Class
Kevin Quane
6th Class
Michael Sheehan 5th class
Jay Rice
5th class
Cathal Barry
4th class
Katelyn O’Donoughue 4th class
Faye Clancy
4th class
Kayleigh Roberts 4th classs
Other People who helped out with
ASF Process
Pa O’Brien (G.A.A. Coach)
Caroline Casey (Fermoy Leisure Centre)
3
Derek
(Dance Teacher
*****Schools should download and read the ASF Application GUIDELINES Booklet prior to completing the rest of the
application form.
PART 1 – TIMETABLE
YES/No
PE Timetable
All pupils are timetabled for a one hour of PE per week
Times
Monday
Tuesday
Yes
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
9.30-10.00
Junior InfantsSenior Infants
10.00-10.30
!st & 2nd classes
10.30-11.45
3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th
classes
1.15-1.50
Junior-2nd class
2.00 -2.40
3rd- 6th class
PE Strands – All classes should be taught a minimum of 5 different PE strands each year according to DES
guidelines. Please indicate the strands that are being taught to each class grouping at the end of the ASF
process in the template below.
Athletics
Aquatics
Dance
Games
Gymnastics
Juniors
Seniors
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
4
Outdoor
Adventure
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
PART 2- PHYSICAL EDUCATION
REVIEW – Please describe PHYSICAL EDUCATION provision prior to the ASF process making reference to
each of the following four review areas in the space below:




PE Planning
PE Curriculum
Professional Development
Resources
PE Provision prior to starting the ASF process
At the beginning of the ASF process P.E. in the school consisted of one half an hour session of G.A.A. with a county
board development officer per week. This provision was in consistent at best and subject to change due to budgetary
conditions with county board and other administration related difficulties. There was also provision for six weeks of
aquatics in Fermoy Leisure Centre for pupils from 1 st class – 3rd class. Therefore only 2 strands of the National
Curriculum were being met and only one at junior and senior infant level.
Planning for P.E. was casual and done on an ad-hoc basis depending on availability of coaches or swimming.
Professional Development in P.E. was not seen as a priority for teaching and learning in the school.
IMPROVEMENTS – Please describe the improvements that have been implemented, as a result of the
ASF process, for each of the following areas:
PE PLANNING
The school P.E. plan is now mapped out from the end of the preceding
school year. The strands are planned for in half termly blocks with each
strand being appropriately timed for the season. P.E. Coaches and
facilitators that are required are booked well in advance where there is a
skill shortage among staff.
Completion
Evidence
Date
01/05/12
P.E. Plan on classroom
walls and as appendix to
P.E. policy.
Photos, event calendars for
junior infant and sixth class
pupils
5
PE CURRICULUM
Five strands of the national curriculum are now covered each school
year.
The Dance strand has been facilitated in 2 ways. A dance facilitator was
employed by the school for six weeks from October mid-term to
Christmas to cover the curriculum. The school has also subscribed to
cyber-coach, a web based dance tutorial experience that incorporates a
wide variety of dance and physical activity
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Completion
Evidence
Date
28/02/2014
Invoice for subscription to
Cyber coach and invoice
for Derek
Dance exhibition through
cyber-coach by pupils on
assessment day
Completion
Evidence
Date
Carol Duggan and Kieran McCarthy have both received training on the
HSE Be active after school programme
15/02/2013
Kieran McCarthy has received professional development in the area of
physical literacy with ‘Fundamental Success Ltd.’
20/11/2012
Kieran McCarthy has completed the G.A.A. foundation coaching award.
08/02/2014
Certificates of completion
from relevant
organisations.
IMPROVEMENTS – Please describe the improvements that have been implemented, as a result of the
ASF process:
RESOURCES
Completion
Evidence
Date
The B.O.M. and Parent’s Association have allocated money annually for
sustaining and adding to the equipment available to the pupils at
Curraghagalla N.S.
Ongoing
Inventory of equipment.
Recent purchases have included hurleys, helmets, hurdles, footballs,
hula hoops, paints for playground markings and T-shirts for the
Curraghagalla Cup(see break times)
01/09/2014
Photographs of equipment
being utilised on school
walls.
6
PART 3 – PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
REVIEW – Please describe PHYSICAL ACTIVITY provision prior to the ASF process making reference to
each of the following six review areas in the space below:






Discretionary Time and Cross Curricular Activities
Activity during Break Times
Inclusive Physical Activity
Extra-Curricular Activities
Active Travel
Pupil Voice/Celebrating Achievements and Skills
Physical Activity Provision prior to the ASF Process
 Discretionary Time and Cross Curricular Activities
Discretionary time was focussed on enhancing other areas of the curriculum such as playing literacy or numeracy
board games, cross curricular activities did not incorporate physical activity or reference to the P.E. curriculum
 Activity during Break Times
Activity was always encouraged at break-times in an informal fashion. The senior room played soccer while the junior
room ran around playing playground games like ‘tag’.
 Inclusive Physical Activity
There was no integration between the senior and junior room. There was no variety of activity to encourage all pupils
to participate. The soccer on offer was inclusive in the sense that all could participate but no effort was made to
include those who did not like soccer.
 Extra-Curricular Activities
Curraghagalla N.S. did not enter teams in external competitions.
School Tours were partly activity based but comprised of the only activity based trip of the year.
 Active Travel
Due to the rural nature of the school but especially because of the poor state of all roads leading to the school pupils
were not encouraged to take part in any active travel scheme
 Pupil Voice/Celebrating Achievements and Skills
Pupils were not part of the planning process for physical activity on any level. Any achievements from outside school
were informally acknowledged by class teachers
IMPROVEMENTS – Please describe the improvements that have been implemented, as a result of the
ASF process, for each of the following areas:
7
DISCRETIONARY TIME and CROSS CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Movement breaks are encouraged at various times during the day.
Cyber-coach is used as a tool for such breaks.
Golden Time is generally fulfilled through activity based fun.
Pupils regularly use physical activity as aids to learning and reinforcing
concepts. They partake in dictation relays for English, Question Races
for S.E.S.E., shape hunts in Maths, some playground games are played as
Gaeilge.
Hop Skotch, letter snakes and clocks have been painted on the yard for
Phonics and early mathematical activities
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY During BREAK TIMES
Completion
Evidence
Date
01/09/2012
01/09/2012
Cyber-coach
demonstration
Photos in School
01/09/12
Photos, end of year
calendars
01/10/2013
Paint markings on school
yard
Completion
Evidence
Date
There is now variety to the activities the senior take part in on the
‘football pitch’.
01/09/2012
Photos in School corridor
There is an equipment box left out so that children can decide on the
type of game they might play including hula-hoops, skipping ropes,
badminton and tennis rackets.
01/09/12
Photos in school corridor
Pupils now take part in the Curraghagalla Cup activity every Wednesday
lunch-time
10/10/2013
ASF notice board and
Curraghagalla Cup league
table
There is music played in the playground on Tuesdays to encourage dance
10/10/2013
Photos in school corridor
INCLUSIVE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Completion Evidence
Date
Junior Room and Senior Room pupils are fully integrated for
Curraghagalla Cup activities. These activities are accessible and
differentiated for all genders, ages and ability levels.
10/10/2013
Photos in school corridor
Girls are actively encouraged to play in the Sciath na Scol matches
organised by the school.
01/09/2013
Team pictures in school
corridor
Our matches against other schools are arranged in a Go-Games format
where it is non competitive and inclusive to all players
01/09/2012
Team pictures in school
corridor
IMPROVEMENTS – Please describe the improvements that have been implemented, as a result of the
ASF process, for each of the following areas:
8
EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME
Completion
Evidence
Date
Our school tour is now entirely activity based.
01/05/2012
Photos from previous
school Tours
We plan at least other three activity based trips for our pupils.
01/06/2013
Photos from trips to
Fermoy Park, Ballyhooly
Woods, Garryvoe Beach
and Fermoy Soccer Club
We enter teams into the Sciath na Scól competitions
01/09/2013
Team photos
Where numbers allow we enter other local tournaments and arrange
games against similar sized schools
01/09/2013
Team photos
ACTIVE TRAVEL
Completion
Evidence
Date
We organised a ‘Walk on Wednesday’ initiative where pupils assembled
at the church car park and walked to school from there.
01/06/2011
Photo display in school
corridor.
A ‘Walk the C’s’ initiative was launched and being run by pupils on the
ASF committee. They have mapped the distance around the school and
each morning each child is encouraged to walk as many laps as possible.
The distance travelled by each pupil is recorded and the collective
distance walked by the pupils is marked on the map of Ireland. The
object is to ‘walk’ to as many C’s in Ireland as possible throughout the
school year.
01/05/2014
Chart mapping distance
travelled in school corridor
PUPIL VOICE/CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS and SKILLS
Completion
Evidence
Date
An active school committee was formed through a ballot of the pupils
01/09/2012
Pupils were surveyed on their ideas to increase physical activity at
Curraghagalla N.S.
01/10/2013
There is a notice board in the school corridor noting any achievements
made by Curraghagalla pupils. Pupils are encouraged to inform all their
classmates, peers and staff of their achievements both inside and away
from school.
01/04/2014
The present active school
committee
Dance on Tuesday
Playground Markings
Teams entered in Sciath na
Scol.
Notice board in corridor.
9
PART 4 – COMMUNITY LINKS
REVIEW – Please describe the COMMUNITY LINKS that existed prior to the ASF process making reference
to each of the following three review areas:
 Working with Parents
 Working with the Local Community
 Working with Outside Agencies
Community Links prior to the ASF Process
Working with Parents
There was no link between parents and school in terms of physical activity
Working with the Local Community
There was no formal links with community organisations
Working with Outside Agencies
The Cork County Board for G.A.A. facilitated some coaching in the school
IMPROVEMENTS – Please describe the improvements that have been implemented, as a result of the
ASF process, for each of the following areas:
WORKING with PARENTS
Completion
Evidence
Date
Parents participate in a annual treasure trail around the grounds of
Fermoy Park
14/03/2014
Photos of Family Trail Day
The Board of Management and Parents Association organise an open
day for the school to promote it. This includes a sports section to
advance the importance of physical activity to current and prospective
parents.
13/04/2014
Photos in Corridor from
Open Day Sports events
Parents are encouraged to get involved in the coaching of the school
teams and to promote the ethos of enjoyment from sports
30/06/2013
Photos from Team outings
WORKING with the LOCAL COMMUNITY
Completion
Evidence
Date
The Curraghagalla Community Group has supported the school in the
promotion and running of its open day.
13/04/2014
Posters, photos and
newspaper clippings in
school corridor
Past Pupils of the school volunteer to run the sports activities on the
school pitch for our open day
13/04/2014
Photos from Open Day
10
Local farmers and owners of Caherdrinna Castle have enabled the school
to organise nature and historical walks on their land.
11/03/2014
Photos from walking trips
to local sites
WORKING with OUTSIDE AGENCIES
Completion
Evidence
Date
The school is a HSE Health Promoting School.
01/09/2012
Certification from HSE.
Glanworth G.A.A. facilitates coaching in the school for an eight week
block each year. The cost is shared between Curraghagalla and
Glanworth G.A.A.
31/03/2014
Photos in School Corridor
Kilworth Tennis Club, Mitchlestown Karate Club, Fermoy Leisure Centre,
Mitchelstown Rugby Club, Clonmel Boxing Club, K2NY and Ballindangan
N.S. have all come to the school during our active school weeks.
31/05/2104
Photos from ASW 2011,
2012, 2013, 2014.
11
PART 5 – ACTIVE SCHOOL WEEK
Dates of Active School Week: From
19th – 23rd May 2013
Please describe the events of Active School Week and the participants in each one in the blank template below.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Boxing
Golf
Activity Day
Dancing Derek
Caherdrinna Hike
Hurling Coach came
to C.N.S. to train all
pupils in there
hurling skills
P.G.A. Professional
Matthew McCarthy
came to C.N.S. to
host a workshop on
starting golf and
brought starter sets
for children to try it
out.
An activity day of
sports, team building
and obstacle courses
at Curraghagalla N.S.
for all pupils
All Pupils
All pupils hiked to
Caherdrinna Castle and
had lunch at the local
landmark.
All Pupils
All Pupils
All pupils
Cycling
Denis Motherway,
Community Garda
came to the school
to inspect
children’s bikes and
direct them on how
to cycle safely on
our roads.
Curraghagalla Cup
Competition Events
Dance workshop
facilitated by Dance
Tutor Derek
School Sports Day
Parents invited into
school for
traditional sports
day including egg &
spoon,
wheelbarrow, three
legged and sprint
races.
Senior class
12
Additional Information
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Review
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Improvements
13
MARY IMMACULATE COLLEGE Research Proposal
The Physical Education faculty at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) wishes to research best practice in Irish
primary schools in terms of PE provision and opportunities for physical activity and sport. The research
team would like to examine the application form submitted by ASF accredited schools. The ASF steering
committee is supportive of this study and asks schools to consider releasing their information to the MIC
research team. Schools are not obliged to do so and there will not be any consequence if schools decide
against giving their consent.
Schools that require further information about the research project should contact the research team
leader [email protected] (087) 8834490
Y
If awarded the ASF we give our consent for Mayo Education Centre to release our
application form to the MIC research team
We are willing to be contacted by the MIC research team
Y
e
s
14
PART 6 - CHECK LIST
Checklist
1. ASF Application Guidelines – This document has been read fully.
2. School Details – All sections have been completed
3. ASF Committee – This section has been completed.
4. Facilities – This section has been completed.
5. PE Timetable - Confirmation has been given that every pupil in the school receives 1 hour of
timetabled PE every week, as a minimum and the blank PE timetable template has been
completed
6. PE Strands – Confirmation has been given that every class is taught at least five different PE
strands each year.
7. Review Process - A detailed description of provision prior to the ASF process has been given for
each of the review areas.
8. ASF Improvements – At least one improvement has been completed for every review area.
9. Completion Dates – A completion date has been listed for every improvement.
10. Completion Dates - All of the improvements listed have been completed prior to submission of
the application form.
11. Evidence - Specific evidence has been listed for each of the improvements.
12. Active School Week – A detailed Active School Week programme has been included.
13. MIC Research Proposal - This section has been completed
15
Submission

Applications should be submitted by email only to [email protected]

Schools can submit their application at any point in the year.
Queries

For further information please contact [email protected] or phone (094) 9020704
FEEDBACK
We appreciate your feedback as it will allow us to develop and improve the ASF process.
16
Positive Aspects of ASF Process
Ways that we could improve the ASF Process
17