Physical activity is a huge part of daily life in Divine Word. Getting outside in the fresh air regularly is encouraged across all class levels! We are very lucky to have a number of dedicated teachers who give up their time to train our many sports teams.
Boys’ and Girls’ GAA Teams
The school enjoyed a great day out in Croke Park in October. Both our girls’ and boys’ GAA teams reached the school finals. The teams produced fantastic displays and won their respective divisions. They will have memories that will last a lifetime! Thanks to the hard work and dedication of their coaches.
Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer Teams
Our boys’ team enjoyed great success in the group stages of the league, winning all their matches. They have progressed to the final and look forward to playing the match in June. Our girls’ team have progressed through to the semi-final and it will be played on May 18th. Thanks again to their coaches for all the time dedicated to the teams.
Hurling and Camogie Teams
The senior hurling and camogie teams are starting out on the quest to reach Croke Park in June. The league is underway this April and we have two enthusiastic teams looking forward to their league matches. Our junior hurling team have league matches commencing in April and we wish them all the best.
Hockey Teams
Every Friday afternoon, children from 3rd class upwards can be found on the hockey pitch in Three Rock Rovers. Wendy Cullen and her team of coaches, ensure development of skills and fun are at the heart of each session. The school takes part in Leinster Hockey's Primary Schools league. We are proud of the work put in by the teams this year and their success in reaching the semi-finals.
Friendly matches for all age groups are organised with many of the local schools in Rathfarnham and the surrounding areas.
Santry Athletics
Each June we participate in the Cumann na mBunscol Athletics Finals in Santry. Divine Word have had great success in these competitions over the years and we are looking forward to competing again this year! Thank you to the many teachers who help to coach the children in preparation for Santry.
1k a Day Challenge
In November, all classes from Junior Infants up to 6th Class took part in our ‘1K a Day Challenge’. Classes were encouraged to run three laps around the school, which is the equivalent of one kilometre. This challenge was a huge success. Many classes have kept this up and are continuing to run their ‘K a Day’! Our new 'Active Walkway' has really encouraged classes to keep up this challenge. One lap around the walkway is 500m, so many classes aim to complete two laps, throughout the day!
Active Break Everyday Challenge
The whole school took part in the ‘Active Break Everyday Challenge’ for the month of February. We called it ‘Deich ag a Deich’ and challenged all classes to take a ten-minute movement break at ten o'clock, every morning. We set up a link on Microsoft Sway with suggested activities for teachers to follow, or they could choose their own activities if they preferred. We found this to be a hugely successful initiative, with many classes continuing the challenge long after February had passed!
Run Around Ireland Challenge
All the classes in the school are partaking in a Run Around Ireland Challenge. Two laps of our new Active Walkway measures 1km in distance. Each class is on a mission to see how many kilometers the class can achieve in the challenge period. The classes have been given a tracker to see what they can visit in Ireland that equates to their total distance ran. A school tracker board has also been set up in the hall, so that classes can compete against each other. Best of luck to everyone!
Big Travel Challenge
The Green School’s Committee have also played a huge role in keeping our school active. They have organised a number of WOW and COW days, where children and staff are encouraged to walk, cycle or park and stride to school on Wednesdays. Most recently they have organised the ‘Big Travel Challenge’, where they are really encouraging people to use a greener mode of transport to get to school, over a ten-day period. They have even written their own song, which you can check out here.
European Sports Day
The whole school took part in a day of sport to mark European Sports Day, back in September. The senior classes arranged competitive events against each other, while the junior classes enjoyed a variety of different activities and games, led by Mr. Mangan and Mr. Brady. There was a great atmosphere in the school and the children really enjoyed the day.
Sponsored Walk and Hike
Our annual School Walk takes place in October. Junior Infants to 4th Class walk around Marley Park, while our 5th and 6th Classes hike up Three Rock Mountain. It is always a great day, which raises much needed funds for our school, as well as keeping children fit and active!
After-school Activities
Children can also avail of a wide range of active afterschool activities in the school including mega sports, Karate, Irish Dancing, Happy Joe and hockey.
Playground Leaders and Active Lines
Our 5th Class ‘Playground Leaders’ come to the Junior Infant yard each day. They encourage the children to play games such as ‘Duck Duck Goose’, ‘Chasing’ and ‘What Time is it Mr. Wolf'. They are also in charge of keeping our lines active when the bell goes!
Video 1 of Active Lines Video 2 of Active Lines
Yard Equipment
This year we introduced yard equipment-balls, hoops, skittles, beanbags etc. to our junior yards. This was initially tried with our First Classes. After the success with these classes, we extended it to our Senior Infants and then Junior Infants. The children love when it is their day to play with the equipment and the feedback has been very positive. Members of the Active Committee are responsible for bringing the equipment in and out each day.
Feel Good Fridays
The Active School Committee have organised several ‘Feel Good Fridays’ throughout this school year. On these days we allowed music to be played in the yard and organised discos for the junior classes in the hall. The children on the committee suggested that each class from 3rd-6th would get a chance to choose the playlist that was played, which was a great success! We hope to continue with our ‘Feel Good Fridays’, as we feel they are a super way to keep the children active!
Check out some of the videos on our Twitter page! https://twitter.com/divinewordns/status/1618993588901408769/video/4
Halloween Parade/Christmas Disco/World Book Day Parade/Lá Glas Céilí
We have made it a big priority this year to organise whole school active events as often as possible. We have had some hugely successful active events such as our Halloween Parade, Christmas Disco, World Book Day Parade and Lá Glas Céilí.
