St Mary’s complete around the world run!
THE STUDENTS of St Mary’s Primary School at Bryanstown got to run around the world over the last eight months - without leaving their school yard.
Last October, the school launched a fundraiser to help fit out their new extension (which was also completed on Friday!). Each child ran or walked a kilometre on the first day and by the end of it, the school had 1,100km covered.
A 500m circuit was marked out around the school and classes regularly went out to complete a kilometer or two. The scores were logged and altogether the distance covered was 42,100km. The route saw the school pass through Rome, Cairo, India, Bangkok, Sydney, Honolulu, Mexico City, New York, Reykjavik and then back to Drogheda!
“Nutrition and exercise are so important for children these days. Last year we ran a very sucessful healthy lunch campaign and this year we decided we’d focus on exercise. The idea of running around the world came up and it tied in nicely as we were looking for fundraising ideas for our new extension. The children were given sponsorship cards and it just took off then!,’ teacher Brian Kelly stated.
“The total distance we covered was 42,100km! It’s been great, everyone from Junior Infants to 6th has planned their part and we passed through places like Rome, Bangkok, Sydney, Honolulu, Mexico City, New York and Reykjavik!”
“From a curriculum point of view it’s been brilliant as well. As we hit each destination children were able to learn about that place through Geography, History, English, Art as well obviously as PE and Maths. Teachers would say that the general fitness of students has increased and concentration in class has also improved”.
Friday saw the whole school working together to complete the final 4000km. The senior classes completed 5k each with 1st and 2nd completing 3k and the infants doing 1k each. Finally with just over 900km to go the whole school walked together to finish the journey. Cousins Marianna Macari (6th class) and Alisa Macari Bundhoo (Junior Infants) crossed the line together hand in hand at the 42,100km mark.
“It was quite a sight to see 1,100 students along with their teachers and parents walking together to complete such an amazing journey. It really tied in with our school motto Trí Nasc Ár Neart (our unity is our strength) and our goal everyday of being a big school with a small school feel,’ Brian added.
St. Mary’s would like to thanks Nature’s Best and Gerry’s Fresh Foods for their kind sponsorship of refreshments on the day.