The Active School Flag (ASF) is a Department of Education and Skills initiative awarded to schools that strive to achieve a physically educated and physically active school community. The process aims to get more schools, more active, more often. Our pupils, staff and parents are committed to making activity and exercise a fun and everyday way of life in our school. We have been enjoying our active flag journey and our active flag committees have been leading us in many initiatives to keep us healthy and active.
To learn more about the Active School Flag Initiative, visit their website www.activeschoolflag.ie 
​Why get active?
​Did you know that four out of five children in the Republic of Ireland are still not getting enough exercise, posing serious risks to their health and well-being?  Being active helps release chemicals in your brain (endorphins), which have a positive effect on your mood, not to mention the benefits to your heart, lungs, muscles and bones. Getting out and being active is also a great way to manage stress.
10 Health Benefits: Physical activity helps a child to…
•    Improve agility, balance and co-ordination.
•    Feel more energised
•    Reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and depression.
•    Burn and generate more energy.
•    Improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
•    Maintain healthy weight.
•    Improve concentration.
•    Improve self-esteem and helps them feel good about themselves.
•    Develop friendships.
​Schools wishing to achieve the ASF begin the process by self-evaluating their current provision across 3 areas: Physical Education, Physical Activity and Partnerships. Schools must also organise an Active School Week programme and commit to having it as part of their annual school calendar. Schools that can say ‘yes’ to all of the ASF success criteria will be awarded with the active flag. The flag remains valid for a period of 3 years after which time schools will be invited to re-apply.

Physical Education

Holywell Educate Together National School prides itself on the physical education facilities and the many sports and activities which we provide and we believe that we are in a strong position to apply for and achieve an Active School Flag.  Each class in our school participates in a minimum of one hour timetabled Physical Education per week. Pupils take part in lessons that cover the strands of the Physical Education Curriculum – Athletics, Dance, Games, Gymnastics and Outdoor and Adventure activities. These lessons take place in the hall, in the yard / astro and on school grounds. Classes also take part in the PAWS (Primary Aquatics Water Safety) in the classroom. These lessons outline the essential life-saving guidelines that every child needs to know.

Active School Committee

To carry out our Active School application, we needed the help of our students. To facilitate this we set up an ‘Active Schools Committee’. We have representatives from Junior Infants to sixth class represented on our active School committee who meet regularly throughout the year. They have been working hard carrying out surveys, creating slogans, sharing ideas and performing duties.  All our A.S.F. initiatives are possible thanks to the research, ideas and hard work of the ASF committee. Well done to all involved, you are doing a great job!!
 
This year we agreed to standardise the PE Plan to ensure that each class will focusing on the same strand and Fundamental Movement Skills each month.  We also prioritised Outdoor and Adventure as our strand for development this year.

Physical Activity

Holywell E.T.N.S. is embracing being more active for our ASF application 2022. Classes are completing 10 minutes of additional exercise every day and we are adding additional Active Homework during the week. You might see us outside running a mile, dancing to our favourite songs, completing movement breaks or playing active games.
We are also keeping our yard lines busy by completing exercises whilst we line up during the year. We are having lots of fun getting active!

Partnerships

Our school has been working with many different local organisations to help us in our work towards becoming an active school. We welcomed many visitors from our local community :
 
St. Finian’s GAA Club 
 Swords Celtic FC 
    FAI Soccer
Fingal Leagues GAA 
Fingal Athletics League 
 Malahide Rugby
   Dublin Parks Tennis 
Malahide Cricket Club 
  The Daily Mile challenge 
Cycling with Dr. Bike 
    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Active School Week

We are committed to featuring an active school week in our school calendar every year!
This year Active School Week will run from the 27th April – May 1st