All a-board for learning at St Clare’s

AN Ennis school has become the first in the country to get on board with an innovative fitness and learning tool, writes Jessica Quinn.
St Clare’s has just taken delivery of four ActivAll Boards for use throughout the school with all 83 learners.
The learning boards are all based outside in the school grounds and work off electricity helping learners with daily physical and mental activities to get their heart rate going as well as developinng hand-eye coordination and motor skills.
Principal John Murphy said the school community and young people have waited a long time for the boards to be installed but now they are here the staff and learners are using them constantly throughout the day.
“Covid and Brexit delayed the arrival of the boards which come from the UK,” said Mr Murphy, noting St Clare’s is the first school in Ireland to engage with this new technology.
“All staff received training last week and the boards went live on Monday,” he said.
“The bright lights and noises are particularly good at catching the attention of learners with additional needs and the competitive element I believe is a strength.
“Children can use balls, sticks, gloves or their hands to interact with the boards and leader boards are appearing in classrooms and the staffroom.”
The games options and skill levels are helping St Clare’s with its mission to champion health, wellbeing and physical activities.
“The boards are totally inclusive and enable all our young people regardless of barriers to learning to have a go and improve on previous best.
“Any schools wishing to find out more about ActivAll are welcome to contact St Clare’s school and to visit and see the boards in action,” he said.