​At Kilsheelan NS, our journey to earning the Active School Flag has been an exciting, school-wide effort, centred around a vibrant PE curriculum. We focused on integrating all five PE strands: Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games, and Outdoor and Adventure Activities, to ensure a well-rounded and inclusive program for every student.
 
Our school adopted the Land PAWS (Primary Aquatic Water Safety) programme, teaching essential water safety skills to promote confidence in and around water. This was a key addition to our Athletics and Outdoor strands, allowing students to engage in lessons about water awareness, even on land.
 
We worked together to strengthen the strand of Outdoor and Adventure Activities. In the months of May we organized trail walks, orienteering challenges, and treasure hunts around the school grounds and nearby nature spots. We made particular use of our new GAA walkaway, adjacent to the school, for walkway challenges. These adventures helped students develop teamwork, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills in a fun, natural setting, contributing to their physical and mental growth.
 
To support these activities, we invested in new PE equipment to enrich our Games and Gymnastics strands. From agility ladders and cones for athletics to reaction balls and pool noodles for games, this equipment ensured students could safely explore a variety of movements and skills. By using this new gear creatively, our Games strand saw heightened student engagement through activities like soccer, basketball, and other team-based games.
 
Through these concerted efforts, Kilsheelan NS is proud to have fostered an active, health-focused environment that inspires students to lead active lifestyles, supporting our application for the prestigious Active School Flag.