Physical Education Department

Physical Education plays an important role in the pupils’ education at St Columban’s College, contributing to the social, emotional and cognitive development of each pupil and taking sole responsibility for his or hers physical development.

Aims

• To encourage participation and enjoyment in a broad range of Physical Activities, that are made available through both curricular and extra curricular programmes.

• To contribute to performance, knowledge and evaluation skills of each pupil in a broad range of physical activities and later in activities for which the pupil shows a particular interest/ability (Key Stage 4).

• To contribute to the promotion of problem solving, creative movement and aesthetic appreciation of movement.

• To promote an interest in and understanding of physical activity and its contribution to the maintenance of a personal life long healthy life style.

• To achieve recognised accreditation for sporting achievement which may be used to gain access to a career in the leisure/recreation industry.

Curriculum Timetable allocation

• Key Stage 3 - 75 mins per week

• Key Stage 4 - 4 (Curriculum PE) – up to 180mins per week

• Key Stage 4 - 4 (GCSE PE) – 150 mins per week

Curricular Activities available at Key Stage 3 / 4

Health Related Physical Education, Gaelic Football, Netball, Soccer, Camogie, Badminton, Volleyball, Tennis, Rounders, Gymnastics, Dance, Swimming, Personal Survival, Athletics, Xcountry, Orienteering, Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Trampolining, Golf, Life saving, Basketball, Softball

Extra Curricular Activites available at Key Stage 3 / 4

Gaelic football, Camogie, Netball, Athletics, Xcountry, Skiing, Golf, Outdoor Pursuits

PE Facilities

• 15 Station Fitness Suite

• 3 Hard Tennis Courts (with Netball/Basketball overmarkings)

• 1 Gymnasium

• 1 Dance Studio

• 2 Football/Soccer/Camogie pitch

Sporting accreditation available at St Columban’s College

• GCSE PE

• Certificate ofr Achievement PE

• ASA Swimming Awards including survival

• BAGA Gymnastics
  

The Physical Education Department in St. Columban’s College offers an extensive range of sporting activities to all its pupils. Key stage 3 pupils enjoy 80 minutes of P.E. per week where they are given opportunities to sample activities from all National Curriculum Activity Areas; games, athletics, swimming, dance and gymnastics. Key Stage 4 pupils are allocated 105 minutes or more of curriculum P.E. per week with the additional option of following the GCSE P.E. course. All pupils follow a personal health related fitness programme with a view to promoting a healthy lifestyle for now and into adult life.

In addition, pupils are invited to choose three or more sporting activities from the College’s Key stage 4 Options Programme including golf, lifesaving, rock climbing, trampolining, games, gymnastics, athletics, orienteering etc. Many units of work include the completion of a governing body skills award. Community sporting facilities are used in conjunction with the school’s own facilities; gym, two grass pitches, fitness suite, changing areas with showers and enclosed multi-purpose hard court area offering tennis, netball, and basketball courts to deliver curricular and extra-curricular activities. All pupils are encouraged through our House System to participate in intra and inter-school competitions.

Gaelic football has traditionally had a prominent place in the life of St. Columban’s. We are fortunate to have a team of dedicated coaches who train the pupils during after school sessions. The College strives to complement the excellent work taking place in the local clubs. Meetings are held regularly between the staff and club representatives and they have helped to finance kits, nets and balls for the college teams.

St. Columban’s continues to run our annual Primary 7 Gaelic (McKibbin Shield) and netball (Corn Boirche) Tournaments, both of which are keenly contested each year. Last Year’s Winners featured the first girls in a Primary Seven team