A message from Coláiste na Sceilge
SPORTS is the counter weight to the subjects that make up the bulk of our education system. It teaches interdependence, team work, problem solving, tolerance discipline and strategy. It lets off steam, awakens dormant talent, builds relationships and is of course good craic. Delivered by professionals it is a powerful catalyst for wellbeing. The Department of Education need to give greater recognition to this and making PE an exam subject is far from enough.
Before the Easter holidays our students, teachers and some parents set off on our annual 5K run/walk, the final event of our active school week. Our active week and a comprehensive sports curriculum which ranges from volleyball to yoga, all delivered by qualified PE teachers are some of the things that ensured we became the first post primary school in Kerry to achieve an Active School Flag and also contributed to our successful bid to become a Community Sports Hub.
Coláiste na Sceilge competes in football, soccer, basketball, athletics rugby and rowing and we have had a great year with among others our girls cadets basketball team winning All-Ireland bronze medals in division A and Siofra O’Shea playing on the Irish Basketball Squad.
The enjoyment of participating in so many disciplines is owed to our wonderful teaching staff for combining with a number of coaches from the local community. Their commitment to sport and to our young people is exemplary.
Kerry ETB is a huge supporter of sport in all of their schools and each year organises a one day sporting event. First-years compete in orienteering, second-years in athletics, third-years in spike ball, and transition years in tag rugby. They also support Iveragh day which allows our students to explore a different part of Iveragh each year.
On a hardy Wednesday morning during the Easter holidays our under 16s gathered for a training session with their teacher and coach John Dorgan and our caretaker and coach Brendan O’Shea. PJ Reidy was also at hand who, thanks to the County Board, coaches our teams weekly and we could not ask for better. There was plenty of positive energy, fresh air and banter and this is, of course, what it is all about. Sport is for a lifetime and needs more time on the curriculum. Our sincere thanks to the South Kerry Board and our partners in sport and wellbeing for this opportunity.