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Pupils and staff of Spa NS with Anne Culloty of the HSE with the Healthy Ireland Health Promoting School, the Active School Flag and Digital School of Distinction Flag at the school on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
SPA N.S. was certainly the place to be last Friday as the students hosted an action packed celebration of flags, food and fitness.
In the morning the student council organised a special whole school assembly to celebrate the Spa National School’s success in retaining their status as a top Healthy Ireland Health Promoting School, being awarded their second Active School Award as well as being named as a Digital School of Distinction for excellence in the promotion and use of technology in the school.
There was great excitement as each flag was presented and raised at the packed assembly. School Principal Peter Linehan was delighted for the students,
“It was important to celebrate and acknowledge the tremendous cross curricular work completed by students, staff and parents in all three areas and these wonderful achievements. Anne Culloty Health Promotion Officer with the H.S.E. also congratulated the school on its efforts.
“It’s wonderful to see the collective effort of the whole school, students, staff and parents in promoting health and wellbeing for all”.
However, the biggest cheer of the morning went to local musician Dave Buckley who led the audience in a rousing rendition of local song’ The Spa in the County Kerry’.
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The school garden was a hive of activity later in the morning as each class took turns in harvesting and cooking the vegetables grown in the garden during the year.
There was a lot of work done, but everyone got to sample some of freshly harvested vegetables beautifully cooked by teachers, Mrs. Behan, Ms. Burke and the members of the School Garden Committee.
The importance of healthy lifestyle choices was also the main lesson of the day. As part of the school’s participation in the European Week of Sport and in association with National Fitness Day, a wide variety of activities were organised for everyone to enjoy.
The students took part in lively aerobic and dance sessions, and a number of different sporting challenges. Students also hosted classroom workshops on health related topics like good nutrition, dental hygiene and safety when exercising.
However, the highlight of the day was the ‘Teachers v Students’ Basketball Shootout contest in the afternoon when the staff took on the 6th class students.
This was a hectic contest with both teams giving their all. However, everyone seemed happy when the final scores were counted and the contest was officially declared a draw.
School Health Co ordinator, Mrs. Griffin Crowe was delighted with the day. “It was a great success! The students really seemed to enjoy the different activities. They are very knowledgeable and are leading the way.” Scroll down for photos…
Teachers and pupils square up for the basketball game at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Spa NS pupils taking part in classroom aerobics on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Pupils with goodies put together from the school garden at Spa NS. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Teachers Niall Morgan and Lorna Hickey with pupils practicing their hurling skills at Spa NS on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Teachers Geraldine Behan and Deirdre Burke with pupils and the range of dishes put together from produce in the school garden. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Pupils Alice Fitzgibbon, Jack Nolan, Molly Sheehy and Cian Mason with Anne Culloty of the HSE who presented the school with the Healthy Ireland Flag confirming Spa NS is a Health Promoting School. Photo by Dermot Crean
Spa NS pupils with the Digital School of Distinction Flag. Photo by Dermot Crean
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