Extra-Curricular Sport in Rathmichael School

Monday       6th Class Hockey
                 3rd and 4th Class girls' football
Tuesday      2nd Class Hockey
                 5th and 6th Class girls' football
Wednesday 5th Class Hockey
                 3rd and 4th Class boys' football
Thursday     4th Class Hockey
                 5th and 6th Class boys' football
Friday        3rd Class Hockey

WET WEATHER:      If games are cancelled due to bad weather, the children will remain in school for the hour, being supervised while they do their homework and should be collected promptly at 3.30 p.m. (or if we have received parental consent they may leave on their own at that time). If parents wish children to leave at 2.25 p.m. in wet weather, then they must collect them from school  and advise the Games teacher that they are doing so.

CLOTHES:                Children must wear runners or track shoes for hockey and suitable warm clothing. Football boots and shorts/old tracksuit bottoms to be worn for football. Children should also bring runners on football days in case the grass is unplayable.

Hockey players must provide their own named stick, gum shields and shin pads. Shin pads and gum shields must be worn at hockey.  Likewise shin guards must be worn at football. Children will not be permitted to participate in Games if they do not have these  items with them. Please note that gum shields should be moulded for your child/ren's mouth(s) before they commence Games – it is not possible to mould them in school on Hockey days.

Games finish at 3.30p.m. Please collect your children on time.

Games played in Rathmichael Parish National School

In all classes pupils have PE once a week in school time with their teachers, where they do a variety of different activities. Swimming for classes 1 – 6 takes place during school hours in Monkstown Blue Pool on Friday mornings through out the school year, two classes per term..

Junior and Senior Infant children also participate in Sports Day as part of the Junior cycle along with 1^st and 2^nd class and prepare for same in the Summer Term with their teachers – they have the sprint, egg and spoon, hoop race and stepping stones race. They compete in teams so every child receives a medal at the end of the day.

In 1^st Class, the children start games in the summer term for one hour after school – rounders and general summer games. They prepare for Sports Day as for Junior and Senior Infants, with their teachers and with the Games Co-ordinator, June Lawless.

In 2^nd Class, the children start after school hockey in the Winter term (one hour, once a week) and have field games in Summer term. They also prepare for Sports Day and take part in high jump and long jump with June Lawless.

In 3^rd Class, the children add football to hockey as after school activities (games two days per week). If time permits, they may play some friendly matches against other schools. 3^rd Class are part of the Senior cycle. In Senior sports they have sprint, egg and spoon, obstacle race, three-legged and relay. They also compete in teams so every child receives a medal. They would compete in high-jump, long-jump and bean bag throwing competitions prior to Sports Day during Summer games.

3^rd, 4th, 5^th and 6^th class girls have their after-school football together once a week. (Depending on numbers one of the classes may play on a separate day.) However after school hockey is mixed and classes play on separate days. Friendly matches may be arranged depending on availability of opposition, time constraints etc.

In 4^th Class, the children may (depending on numbers in 5^th and 6^th) have trials for the school football team (mixed) and if successful will play on the team – this involves friendly matches (perhaps 2/3), a pre-Christmas league (3/4 games) and a post Christmas league (3/4 games) plus cup (knockout). For those not on the school team friendly matches may be arranged against other 4^th classes if time permits. With hockey they may play a number of friendlies against other 4^th classes. They are also part of the senior cycle for Sports Day (as for 3^rd Class).

In 5^th Class, the children are eligible to play for both the football team and hockey (separate girls and boys) teams. Those not on school football team may play in some friendly matches. The hockey teams play in a league (4/5 matches) with a decider at the end of Spring term if they get through from qualifiers. Sports Day and Summer games as for 3^rd and 4^th classes.

In 6^th Class, as for 5^th. May also get chosen to represent the school in a once-off swimming gala in Killiney/Glenageary. In the Summer term there may also be the option of tennis once-a-week in Shankill Tennis Club. This may not happen every year as is dependent on coach availability, court time, interest levels etc. This is separate from other Summer sports.

In the Senior cycle, the children compete for individual trophies – sprint, high-jump, long-jump, football, hockey and tennis cups (all awarded to individuals who fulfill a range of criteria). There is also a cup awarded for sportsmanship, achievement in sports, leadership qualities etc – awarded to a 6^th class pupil (not awarded every year if there is no outstanding pupil in that year).