The enhanced and improved surface markings on the all weather facility in Battery Heights has been positively received by the staff and pupils of the Dean Kelly National School.
Collaborating in unison with Town Mayor, Cllr. Aengus O’Rourke, on the enhancement project, the innovative and industrious national school pupils commenced their campaign to improve line markings on the all weather surface and made initial contact with the local elected representative for support.
Speaking this week, Dean Kelly NS principal, Ms Sandra Lennon, positively reflected on the pupils’ endeavours following the culmination of the project.
“We, the staff and pupils, are absolutely delighted with the new and improved all weather pitch directly across from the school at Battery Heights. This was a project undertaken by the pupils. In the autumn of 2019 the boys from both fifth and sixth class commenced their campaign of trying to improve the line markings on the pitch surface. This involved writing to our Town Mayor, Cllr Councillor Aengus O’Rourke,who responded immediately and we are all now immensely pleased with the project outcome,” Ms Lennon said.
The concept of the ‘Playworks’ initiative was a core factor with regard to the project’s initial thoughts, development and ultimate realisation.
“Staff members have trained in an American Yard initiative called ‘Playworks’ and this innovative way of playing at yard time led to the need for new and improved line markings to allow the pupils explore and develop their games and playtime experience. ‘Playworks’ is based on the concept of every child playing and having free choice of what to play.
“The boys also have strategies and tools to resolve playground conflicts and even the adults are welcome to play and join in on the fun! The choice of games varies from traditional playground games such as ‘Duck, Duck, Goose’ to ball games such as the popular ‘4 square’.
“The ‘Playworks’ programme also includes a school crew, children who help out with organising equipment and also overseeing the set-up of many group games. Being a member of the school crew is a much sought-after role and those involved are rewarded each term with a special outing to a local restaurant to have their school crew breakfast.
“Having the correct line markings completed on the pitch means the boys can fully embrace the ‘Playworks’ initiative and also enjoy these activities after school as many of the boys live in the Battery Heights area so this improvement has benefited the wider community. The pupils have already discussed their next basketball hoops campaign so hopefully more good news has yet to come,” Ms Lennon stated.
Town Mayor, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke noted his welcome involvement with the project, expressing his delight with the realised outcome.
“The pupils put forward a detailed plan of how they would like the line markings on the hard surface pitch to be laid out. They had just commenced a new play time initiative called ‘Playworks’ which required bespoke line markings on the pitch surface and I was delighted to help out where I could. They are pupils with a great attitude and the Dean Kelly is a wonderful school.
“The school is very lucky to have this facility across the road and due to the surface improvements, the pitch is getting a lot more use from both the school children and the resident children in the area.
“I was delighted to work closely with the pupils, together we came up with a plan and thankfully it all worked out well. The work would have happened before now, but Covid-19 unfortunately set us back a few months,” Cllr O’Rourke concluded.
