Physical Activity

• In Dunboyne JPS we are aware that children should be getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.  We aim to encourage as much physical activity as possible throughout the school day.
• The children are encouraged to run and play in the yard during both break times- 20 minutes at the morning break and 20 minutes at the afternoon break. 
• When the weather is good 1st and 2nd class children have access to the grass area to play football.
• Both yards have playground markings on them to encourage active play e.g. 'dens' for Tag, hundred squares and hopscotch.
• Both yards also have a lane painted around the perimeter where children are encouraged to 'do their talking while walking'. 
• Both yards have a box of playground resources which include hoola-hoops, beanbags, balls and skipping ropes.  Each class has one day per week when they are allowed play with these resources during both breaks.  Please note this practice has been suspended for now due to Covid 19.
• All classes take part in 'The Daily Mile'.  Each class is timetabled for 10 minutes per day when they can go out to the yard and jog or walk laps using the red perimeter.   The children really enjoy this and it is a great way to energise them in between lessons. 
• Movement breaks are encouraged throughout the day and many teachers use GoNoodle and Just Dance Kids on the Interactive whiteboards.
•  We take part in the Active Break Every Day Challenge every year for 4 weeks.  During these 4 weeks all teachers and students commit to doing at least one active break every day.
• Some classes took part in the Athletics Ireland running initiative last year and really enjoyed it.  
• Every class is timetabled for 2 half hour slots per week in the courtyard, where the children have access to climbing frames, swings, slides, monkey bars, ladders etc.   2 classes per day also visit the courtyard at break times along with pupils from the ASD class.  
• We have taken part in the Operation Transformation 10@10 programme for the past 2 years.  The children have followed along with the videos and completed their exercises in the classroom with their teachers.  
• Walking, cycling or scooting to school is actively encouraged by our OFF days (On Foot Fridays) and we have recently gained our Green Flag for travel as a result of this. 
• We include active events in our seasonal calendar.  Every Halloween the Junior and Senior Infant children take part in The Walk of Terror where they go on a walk in their costumes around the village.  This year due to Covid 19 the whole school took part in a walk around the school grounds and around the senior school.  ​This Christmas we are planning a Santa dash.