Kilnagross NS raises its first Active School Flag

On Friday last, Kilnagross NS raised its first Active School Flag. After a year of great fun and fitness, the wonderful news arrived that following a visit from the Active Schools Ireland adjudicator, the school had been awarded its first Active School Flag.

The pupils, staff and whole community were delighted. To mark the occasion the school invited Leitrim County Manager Andy Moran, Chairperson of Leitrim GAA Enda Stenson, Kathy Butler past pupil and Chairperson of Leitrim LGFA and Michelle Guckian past pupil and captain of the Leitrim Ladies football team to raise the Active School Flag.

Members of the school Active Flag committee pictured with teachers and guests including, Clare McLoughlin, co-ordinator of the event; Enda Stenson, chairperson Leitrim GAA County Board; Noelín McKenna, teacher, Andy Moran, Michelle Guckian, Caroline Clarke, teacher, Shóna McManus, school principal and Kathy Butler, Chairperson Leitrim Ladies County Board.   

While speaking to the pupils, they commended them on their achievement and encouraged them to continue to strive for further success in sport. Senior pupils were given the unexpected treat of playing a game of football, with Andy and Michelle captaining the opposing teams.

Junior pupils watched on; while enjoying the bouncing castles and visit of the ice cream van. It was a wonderful day which will be recalled by pupils for many years to come.

Achieving the flag was the result of all the effort pupils and staff have put into increasing their activity levels over the past 18 months.

Andy Moran and Michelle Guckian pictured with students from Scoil Naisiunta Naomh Brighid at the raising of the Active School flag ceremony on Friday, June 23.

The school was led by a committee of pupils from 1st to 6th class and teacher Clare McLoughlin. A team of 5th and 6th class pupils led playground games and active lines each week.

During the school year, pupils enjoyed a wide variety of sports in school including gymnastics, dance, swimming, football and taster sessions of Olympic handball and badminton. Every class was active every day, in class and on the yard.

Pupils participated in a variety of events too, including Run Around Ireland, Bike Week, ceilí mór and of course Active Schools Week itself.

Pictured at the raising of the Active School flag at Kilnagross NS are, from left - Clare McLoughlin, co-ordinator; Shóna McManus, school principal; Leitrim Senior Team Manager Andy Moran; Leitrim Ladies GAA Co Board Chairperson Kathy Butler; Leitrim Ladies Senior Team captain Michelle Guckian and Enda Stenson, Chairperson Leitrim GAA County Board.

Pupils danced every morning and enjoyed active homework each evening and the highlight was the annual pupils vs teachers game, this year dodgeball was the chosen challenge.

A special part of the Active Schools flag programme is recognising local sporting heroes, visits from the victorious St Mary's football team and All Ireland boxing champion Sarah McTiernan, inspired the pupils to continue on their fitness journey.

Well done to pupils and staff on their achievement.