About

Active School Flag

Everyone here at Scoil Bhríde is currently working towards attaining our first Active School Flag.

What is the Active School Flag?

The Active School Flag is a Department of Education and Skills initiative supported by Healthy Ireland. The Active School Flag is 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 challenge will be to find interesting and exciting ways to energise the school day because active children are happy learners!

Please keep an eye on the website for updates on how we have been getting active in school!

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 well-being.
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.

Meet our Active School Flag Committee

Our Active School Committee is made up of students from a range of classes and teachers. We meet regularly and here is some of the things we do;

encourage everyone in our school to be more active
attend Active School Flag meetings on a regular basis
set up equipment and resources for Active Lines and Playground Leaders
update and inform our classes and teachers on our progress to date
organise competitions such as the Active School Flag poster and slogan competition
tidying the PE equipment area
providing equipment during break times
brainstorm ideas for activities throughout the year, for example Feel Good Fridays
engage in pupil surveys, for example; what clubs are you in?
and lots more!