McConalogue raises Active Flag at St Columba’s NS following students' letter

A letter from two pupils paved the way to get the Active Flag raised at their Castlefin school.

Donegal Minister of State Charlie McConalogue raised the Active Flag at St Columba's National School, Ballylast. Rolled out by the Department of Education, the Active Flag Initiative recognises schools that strive to achieve a physically educated and physically active school community.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy said: “I was delighted to receive a letter some weeks ago from two of the school’s pupils, Grace McKinney and Liam McConnell, who are both members of the St Columba’s National School’s Active School Committee, to ask me to raise the new flag.”

Securing a third Active Flag, Minister McConalogue added, was a tremendous achievement for the school and he commended everyone who played their part in making this possible.

He said: “Well done to the principal, Jacinta Walsh, the staff, the parents, and to you, the pupils, for all you have done to make sure that the Active Flag will once again fly high and proudly outside your school. Well done, also, to Anne Mehaffy, who has co-ordinated this morning’s event.

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“I’d also like to acknowledge the generosity of Mr Paul Brolly from Lifford Credit Union, who kindly donated to the school to help with its activities. It’s great to see the local Credit Union supporting local initiatives like this.

“The scope and range of the activities undertaken by the pupils at St Columba’s have been so wide and varied. These included gymnastics at the Citadel Gym in Letterkenny, swimming in the Aura, GAA with Calumn, athletics with Gary, dancing with Pine Hill Studios, gardening with Harry, super troopers and daily walks and talks,” the local minister commented.

“And central to all the activities was the Walk to Paris and then on to Rome and an incredibly busy Active School Week. Again, I am extremely impressed with the variety, with pupils taking part in shott putt training, rounders, relay races, chair keep fit, nature walks, karate demonstrations, tug of war and Irish dancing.

“I note that you amended your Active School Walkway to include some of the new Greenway which is a really positive step. I would encourage everyone to keep moving, keep active and keep healthy.”