Physical Education

Our PE curriculum is broad and varied and we acknowledge the importance of providing 60 minutes of physical activity everyday for the children. We teach the six strands of the PE curriculum. These include Games, Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Aquatics and Outdoor & Adventure Activities. All classes except Infants attend swimming lessons each year as part of the Aquatics strand of the PE curriculum. All classes engage in the Land PAWS Water Safety Programme in May/June each year.

By taking part in the Active School Flag programme it has helped us to focus on an improved provision of Physical Education in the school. Teachers use the Primary Schools Sports Initiate to help when teaching and delivering the different strands. Our teachers also use a number of other programmes to support their teaching such as PSSI lesson plans, the “Move Well Move Often” programme and “Action for Life” by the Irish Heart Foundation. The strands are also supported by our external GAA, Dance and Aquatics coaches every year as well as additional coaches which interchange each year for tennis, skipping, Zumba, gymnastics. In spring one of our teachers coaches athletics after school in the lead up to the Santry and Fingal Athletics events. One of our dedicated teachers also coaches our school gaelic football team after school and they participate in local tournaments.

Each year our school prioritises a different PE strand for further development. This year we are focusing on eight fundamental movement skills (one each month). The fundamental movement skills are focused on across the PE curriculum whether it be teaching how to throw and catch through the Games strand or balancing and landing through the Gymnastics strand, these skills should be taught explicitly.

At St. Margaret’s N.S. we strive to continually develop and update our knowledge through ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Physical Education, ensuring high-quality teaching and learning for all pupils. In recent years we had a physical education facilitator visit us from the PDST to do fun and active workshops with every class. The facilitator also touched on the stands ‘Gymnastics’ and ‘Dance’ and gave the teachers some fresh tips and ideas for lessons which was wonderful. click here to find out more.

On 25th March 2022 we launched our new active walkway. Following our playground extension we decided to map out an new Active Walkway route around the school grounds and replace the old walkway signs with a new set provided by the Active School Flag. Our walkway route is fantastic for outdoor activities and orienteering. Click here to find out more.

The fundamental movement skills are the basic building blocks of movement and are an essential part of everyday life and recreational activity. It is only when these skills are mastered that a child can go on to develop specialised movement skills which will allow them to reach their potential in sports specific endeavours (PDST Move Well Move Often)