ACTIVE SCHOOL WEEK

The Department of Education and Skills and Healthy Ireland encourage schools to organise an Active School Week (ASW) as part of their annual school calendar. The ASW initiative is about providing FUN and INCLUSIVE physical activity opportunities for all members of the school community. It allows schools to reinforce the message that not only is physical activity good for you but it also very enjoyable. It provides schools with an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the physical activity opportunities that are available in their locality and to work collaboratively with students, parents and members of the community.

 

Active Week 2023

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We held our Active Week from the 8th to the 12th of May this year. It was a very exciting and active week which included our Sports Day. All classes participated in a Sports Day parade in advance of the day to build excitement with each class designing beautiful sports themed banners. The pupils wore their tracksuits for the week and received Active Homework. Irish soccer star Stephanie Roche devised a keepie- uppy challenge via video for the girls which they practised as part of their Active Homework. All classes took part in the active break a day in May and teachers ensured the girls were especially active in Active Week by practising for the whole school dance and our Sports Day events amongst other activities. 

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We were beyond excited and honoured to have Irish soccer star Stephanie Roche  join us on our very special Sports Day. Stephanie delighted the pupils by visiting their classrooms and kindly presented some of the older pupils with their cups after winning the hotly contested cup races. A keepie-uppy challenge was also held on Sports Day and pupils and parents were delighted to take part and there was a prize for the top scoring pupil and parent.

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We were thrilled to have RTE’s Jacqui Hurley join us as MC for our Sports Day. Her enthusiastic commentary added to the excitement and joy of the day and we are so grateful to Jacqui for keeping spirits up even when the weather took a turn for the worst! We were also grateful that three members of the Irish Women’s Hockey Team - Christine Hamill, Aoife Taaffe & Caitlin Sheerin – (all 3 past pupils of Hollypark) gave of their time to attend our Sports Day. The sportswomen (all at the top of their professions) took the time to visit every single class and presented medals and cups on the day. They are truly inspirational role models for our girls.

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The girls thoroughly enjoyed a fun filled day and the whole school was a hive of activity. Each class had great fun completing several non-competitive activities including the bouncy castle, sack races, water relays, egg and spoon races, and the taxi driver game. They also got to compete in sprint races, relay races and the cup race. Other activities on the day included the teacher and pupil skittle challenge, Twister, parachute activities, face painting and the giant Jenga challenge. Pupils from the Active Flag Committee in the senior classes along with past pupils from Loreto College were on hand to ensure the smooth running of events on the day.

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We also invited reps from local clubs Avoca Hockey Club, Granada Football Club and FoxCab GAA Club to set up information stands in the yard on the day. They generously sponsored the event and club reps informed parents and pupils alike about what their clubs had to offer and about upcoming events.

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Our wonderful Parents’ Association provided healthy snacks to the girls on the day and they have big plans afoot for a large fundraiser early in the next school year to support their active week as we are currently working on achieving our second Active Flag.

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Jacqui Hurley , tweets, Sports Day, Stephanie Roche, Hockey girls + photos

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