St Anthony’s Primary School in Craigavon is showing that when teachers and pupils move together, the whole school thrives!
The school’s enthusiastic involvement in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s ‘Get Moving ABC’ programme has sparked a vibrant, health-focused culture that’s transforming the learning environment and benefiting the health and well-being of staff and children along the way.
Patrick Mallon, Principal of St Anthony’s PS believes that the commitment and priority across the school goes far beyond fitness. He said:
“When we, as staff choose to be active and involved, we do more than improve our own well-being – we light up the classroom. Our vitality creates a powerful ripple effect, setting a healthy example for every child in our care. This shared engagement strengthens the family bond within our school and reinforces our strong community ethos.”
Get Moving ABC is a borough-wide targeted initiative, with a collective effort by local organisations and groups to motivate and support as many people as possible, to work towards and achieve the recommended physical activity levels.
Staff and pupils across the school are embracing the Daily Golden Mile walk/run, and exciting plans are underway for a South Lake triathlon featuring a cycle, swim and walk/run!
Staff have already taken part in a step challenge and are looking forward to introducing even more activities, including Pilates, Zumba, and Yoga to keep everyone moving and motivated.
Through the Get Moving ABC initiative, council helps organisations explore, coordinate and plan how to motivate and support employees to lead an active and fulfilling life, inside and outside of work.
As a Get Moving ABC partner, companies benefit from a corporate indoor leisure membership. Additionally, getactiveabc is delighted to be supporting the Blue Light community with a 20% discounted getactiveabc rate on single memberships. The Blue Light card provides teachers, those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces with discounts on single memberships. This applies to all nine council leisure facilities across the borough, providing access to the gym, swimming pools and classes.
Get Moving ABC is supported by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Sport NI, The Community and Voluntary Sector Panel, Public Health Agency, Education Authority, NI Chest Heart and Stroke, Ulster GAA and ABC Council.
For more information on signing up to Get Moving ABC (as a school, business or community), contact Laura O’Hagan
