Futsal
We have been delighted to welcome Sean, from Futsal through the FAI Schools initiative to our school. He has worked with our 3rd-6th classes and introduced them to the world of Futsal. The game of Futsal allows players to improve their technical skills, because it requires quick thinking and rapid decision making. The children have loved their sessions and can’t wait for their next opportunity to explore it with Sean.
https://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/schools-futsal-programme-kicks-off
GAA with Ballinteer St Johns
We are so excited to welcome Padraic from our local club Ballinteer St. John’s to help classes to hone in on their GAA skills. A lot of our children play at various levels in BSJ. In Divine Word we have played an integral part in encouraging children to explore football, hurling and camogie in their local clubs. It is extremely encouraging to see children pick up a hurley for the first time or put on some boots and head out at lunch time or after school and join in. It is great to have such a wonderful link with our local club to promote GAA and also develop confidence and commitment in children from an early age.
https://ballinteerstjohns.com
Video of support for BSJ
Con O’Callaghan Visit
What a day! Thank you so much to Dublin Superstar Con O'Callaghan for his visit to Divine Word. He told us all about his career, as well as telling us his favourite Super Hero, who will win the World Cup and what he is getting from Santa!
Swimming
DLR Meadowbrook Swimming Pool is a wonderful amenity to have on our doorstep. Children from 2nd to 6th avail of blocks of swimming each year. They learn new strokes and skills and develop ones they have already learned. They explore life saving techniques that are vital if children are in or around water. As aquatics is a recognized strand on the curriculum, we are grateful to be able to avail of the expertise of these wonderful teachers in Meadowbrook.
https://dlrleisure.ie/dlr-leisure-meadowbrook
Happy Joe
There is no happier Joe! Every class in Divine Word is delighted and lucky to explore regular sessions with Joe. Joe not only encourages the children to be physically active, but he also pushes an active mind and stimulates this through dancing and singing. The teachers marvel at how enthusiastic the children are to attend these sessions and value just what they get out of it. Joe is a regular on the stage and many of the children and staff enjoyed seeing him at the Panto this year.
Video of Happy Joe
De La Salle Churchtown
Transition Year students from De La Salle, Churchtown, kindly offer their time and take weekly sessions with some of our senior classes. They do a mix of tag rugby, soccer and GAA with the children. It a great opportunity for the children to learn from the older boys and to develop their skills. It is great to see some of our past pupils back too!
Rugby
Andrew from Leinster IRFU has been coming to our school for the last few years and the older classes have loved trying out some rugby skills. He is so wonderfully encouraging and the children are so enthusiastic and love their sessions. This year Andrew has asked to work with the younger levels too and allow them to join in the excitement of possibly trying out a new sport. A lot of the children play with various rugby clubs in the surrounding areas, so it is great to be able to accommodate them with their interests in school also. The IRFU have also made some lessons available online with complete lesson plans for teachers to use which is great.
https://www.irishrugby.ie/playing-the-game/age-grade/aldi-play-rugby-main/class-lessons/
Olympian Gymnastics
As part of our Active Flag application process, the school decided to focus on the strand of gymnastics this year. In order to upskill the teachers, as well as the children, all classes received 4 gymnastics sessions with Olympian Gymnastics. Both the teachers and children thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic opportunity!
Gael-Karate
Our 3rd, 4th and 5th classes were lucky enough to get a session of Karate through Gaeilge with Brendan, who runs the Gael-Karate afterschool classes. This was thoroughly enjoyed by all and many of the children have signed up to Brendan’s afterschool class!
Cycling
From Monday April 17th, for a period of seven weeks our two 5th classes will be undertaking cycling safety training in our school. The instruction will take place for 1 hour each week and will be given by The Cycling Safety School. The children are allowed to use their own bikes if they wish, but the Cycling Safety School will provide bikes if needed.
