On Friday 23rd June, 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.
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 to increasing their
activity levels over the past 18
months. 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. 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 and with visits from the victorious St Marys football team and All Ireland boxing champion Sarah Mc Tiernan, the pupils were inspired to continue on their fitness journey.
Well done to pupils and staff on their achievement!
