Active School Week is a Department of Education and Skills’ initiative, supported by Healthy Ireland and co-ordinated from Mayo Education Centre. The week is part of the Active School Flag programme, which aims to get more schools, more active, more often. The particular focus of the 2019 Active School Week is the ‘Mile a Day Challenge’. This challenge encourages every class to commit to an activity that allows them to complete a mile every day during their Active School Week.
Donegal has the highest percentage of schools with Active School Flags of any county nationally.
All schools are encouraged to build an Active School Week into their annual school calendars.
Speaking at the launch in Letterkenny, the Minister said:
Active School Week makes it easy for teachers with fun and inclusive activities that get children more active in schools. Energising the school day brings benefits to teaching and learning in schools, as well as to health and wellbeing.
I am especially proud to launch this year’s Active School Week in Letterkenny, in my home county, and to celebrate the success of Donegal schools with this initiative.
The Active School Week 2019 ‘Mile a Day’ Challenge helps schools to link with other national initiatives, such as ‘The Daily Mile’ programme and the ‘Swim for a Mile’ challenge.
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross T.D. said:
It is very important that we increase physical activity levels across all ages and groups. This initiative is providing a wonderful opportunity for our children to enjoy all the benefits that being physically active can bring. It is about getting children out in to the fresh air and being active and having fun. I wish the initiative every success.
The Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin T.D. said:
The impact of this type of initiative can be transformational – improving not only children’s fitness but also their concentration levels, mood, behaviour and general well-being. I am delighted that this links in with “The Daily Mile” programme which is doing a wonderful job in instilling healthy habits in our young people.
The Minister of State with responsibility for Health Promotion, Catherine Byrne T.D. said:
I am delighted to welcome the launch of this year’s Active School Week which provides a great opportunity for schools to bring physical activity into the classroom and the school yard in a practical, fun way. Our schools have enthusiastically signed up to the goals of Healthy Ireland; supporting and encouraging children from a young age to be healthier and more active.
The support provided by the HSE and Donegal Local Sports Partnership is a great example of successful collaboration across the health, sports and education sectors, which is clearly reflected in the high percentage of Donegal schools holding the Active School Flag.
The Department of Health is proud to support Active School Week through the Healthy Ireland Fund, and congratulates everyone taking part in events around the country this week.