Preparatory Department

Extra-Curricular Activities

Aims and Objectives

The aim of the extra-curricular activities is to give the children the opportunity to develop their personalities by taking part in and acquiring some proficiency in activities which are outside the normal curriculum of the school.

Enjoyment is uppermost in the organization of these activities.  It is very important that the children enjoy what they are doing, willingly participate to the best of their ability and experience the truth of the old maxim, 'You only get out of life what you put into it'.

So extensive is the choice for the children that there will be days when difficult choices have to be made.  Unfortunately it is not possible to take part in all the activities.  For that to happen we would need a 14-day week!

All extra-curricular activities take place after school has finished and are entirely voluntary.  In some cases there will be a charge for taking a part.  It is important that students are collected promptly at the end of extra-curricular activities.

We hope that your children will benefit from whatever activities they choose and that they will have a very successful and enjoyable extra-curricular year.

SPORT

Rugby
Rugby is taught to boys who are 9 years of age and older.  There are three teams in the Junior School - Under 10, Under 11 and Under 12.  This sport is open to all boys from P4 - P6.  There are matches for all these teams during the school year.

Rugby is taught by our own sports teachers and there is no charge for this activity

Soccer
Soccer is restricted to P5 and P6 for both boys and girls.  We enter the Primary Schools League and Cup competition each year. 

Soccer is taught by our own sports staff and there is no charge

Hockey
There is hockey training for boys and girls on separate days with different teachers.  There are hockey leagues and cup competitions for boys and girls - all of which we enter each year.

Hockey is taught by our own sports staff and there is no charge

Tennis
Tennis coaching takes place on the school tennis courts.  Mr. Peter Horn comes in to teach this sport.  It is open to all children from P2 - P6.  The children are taught the basics of tennis, including forehand and backhand strokes with the more advanced children taking part in the competitions and leagues.

There is a charge payable in advance at the beginning of each term

Swimming
Swimming is the only activity that takes place on Fridays because there are so many children who wish to avail this opportunity.  We do not have a pool in the College so we are fortunate to have the use of the Newpark pool to which the children in K2, P1, P2, P3 and P4 are conveyed by coach.  Children in P5 and P6 must be collected from school at 3.00 p.m. and must be taken to the pool by parents/guardians.  Health and Safety, supervision and traffic issues necessitate this change in P5 / P6 swimming arrangement.  At the pool there are four teachers who instruct the children in groups based on swimming ability.  Each lesson lasts 35 minutes.  The children must then be collected directly from the pool. 

There is a charge for this activity, payable in advance at the beginning of each term

MUSIC AND THE ARTS

Choir
There is a Junior School Choir which rehearses once a week and is open to all boys and girls from P3 - P6.  The choir takes part in a number of events during the year, including competitions and the Carol Service.  The aim is to enjoy music and learn the discipline of choral singing to a high standard.  Choir takes place in the Junior Hall.

This activity is taken by our Choir Director and is free of charge

Ballet
Classical Ballet classes take place on Wednesday afternoons in the Junior Hall where there are regulation ballet barres, wooden floor and piano.  The children are prepared for grades and major examinations of the Royal Academy of Dancing.  They also take part in St. Andrew's musicals and dance in school shows.

There is a charge for this activity, payable in advance at the beginning of each term

Irish Dancing
Irish Dancing classes take place on one afternoon per week.  The teacher is Pauline Fegin.  She takes children of all standards.  Enjoyment of Irish dancing and music are the essential ingredients of this activity.

There is a charge for this activity, payable in advance at the beginning of each term

Contemporary Dance
Information can be found at reception

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Chess Club
This has become a very popular activity.  It is open to all children of whatever standard.  We are fortunate to have the services of Mr. Crowe who has worked with the Irish Youth Team.  His aim is to teach the children the basics of chess and show them how to work out strategies for games.

There is a charge for this activity, payable in advance at the beginning of each term

We hope that there is something for everyone in this range of activities and that a great deal of enjoyment can be had from participating!