Central Model Infants’ School, Dublin 1 – RUNNING Initiative
About Our School
Central Model Infants’ School, located in Dublin 1, is an Infant school comprising of Junior Infants,
Senior Infants and First Classes. Our school has 20 teachers and 2 SNAs who actively help our 180
students achieve their active goals each day. We are an inclusive school who embrace the many
different cultures and nationalities who live in the local community and attend our school. We began
our active schools journey in 2013 and achieved our first Active School Flag in 2015. The school
community have been enthusiastic and supported us throughout. The teachers and parents have
worked in conjunction with the Active Schools Committee, sharing their ideas, skills and expertise to
help us maintain our active goals.
Our Active Journey
Over the last couple of years our school has been running laps in a bid to improve our fitness. The
children of First Class measured out 100m of our yard and each week we ran and recorded how
many laps each class completed. We worked on the fundamental running skills, starting with
marching and building up jogging. We included strength work including balances and squats to
improve our technique. Each class could track their progress on our active schools board as we
worked to increase our distance each time we ran.
Last year this activity got a bit dull so we decided to make it a little more interesting!
We measured distances from our school to different places in the locality (the swimming pool, the
Spire, Easons, the GPO, Croke Park etc). Each time we ran laps we were working towards reaching a
different destination. For example, it was 400m to the Spire, so if you ran 4 laps you recorded it on
your record sheet.
Then each time you reach a new destination, your class move on the Active Schools Board allowing
the whole school to track their progress.
Benefits of the Initiative
Fitness – Improving stamina and fitness levels. Working on the fundamental running skills and
strengthening through balancing activities and stretches.
Maths- Measuring the 100m track and calculating distances ran each week.
S.E.S.E. – Identifying local landmarks and learning about their buildings and their history. Mapping
distances to each landmark and recording journey. Finding different buildings in the locality on a
map.
English- Using appropriate language around measuring and recording information. Learning
appropriate language in relation to running for example the difference between
walking/jogging/running and sprinting and identifying the different body parts we use that allow us
to run.
What the PUPILS think?
We asked some of our senior infant pupils about what they like about running.
I like running long
distances and doing
lots of laps!
I like running
superfast and
marching
too!
I like racing and
doing high
knees!
Other ASF Initiatives
We try to be active every day, outside of our P.E. lessons. We have a very active yard with different
playground games, skipping, soccer and basketball taking place each day. At line up time we keep
the children moving in their lines, doing a variety of movements such as March on Monday, Twist on
Tuesday, Walk on Wednesday, Toe Tapping Thursday and Free for All Friday.
We also reward the best line with an active triangle where the children can earn extra yard time
when they reach a target number of triangles.
Our school is also a Digital School of Distinction and we have embraced the role of ICT in helping us
on our fitness journey. We love to keep active in the classroom using Go Noodle and Bizzy Breaks on
a rainy day.
We are lucky to have three active after schools clubs taking place in our school. Children get the
opportunity to learn soccer and G.A.A. skills as well as taking part in the ‘Be Active ASAP’
programme. You can track our progress on our Active Schools blog on our website.
http://centralmodelinfantschool.ie/?cat=73
Our School Soccer Club
Our Be Active Club
First Class children running laps in
the yard.
Two of our committee
members updating our
‘Run a Lap’ Record.
Our Active School Motto