Physical Education
The Physical Education Department fully supports the College’s mission statement whereby we aim to provide an environment in which:
- Faith is nurtured
- Students can develop their full potential
- Personal responsibility is promoted
- Students are prepared for an appropriate career
- Students are made aware of their cultural heritage
- Parental collaboration is promoted and encouraged
We aim to produce young men who have a desire to be physically active, lead a healthy lifestyle and strive towards fulfilling their individual potential. To do this, we are committed as a department to providing an enjoyable, relevant and challenging learning experience for all students in PE. The Physical Education and Sport Programme in Blackrock College enables students to gain self-esteem, knowledge and positive experiences within sport so that they make it central to their lives, inside and outside of the school.
The College actively promotes participation in a broad range of academic, cultural, spiritual and sporting activities and the staff give selflessly of their time to promote this ethos. The extensive extra-curricular programme directed by the Games Administrator means that pupils have the opportunity to take part in Rugby, Soccer, GAA, Table Tennis, Squash, Basketball, Cross-country, Rowing, Swimming, Water-polo, Athletics, Tennis and Cricket with emphasis not placed solely upon competition but also development, commitment and enjoyment.
Breadth and Balance
We recognise the importance of breadth and balance within our curriculum, in line with the requirements of the JCPE, and as a department we also understand the need to constantly innovate and update our teaching and assessment methods. Pupils are exposed to a range of activities (Aquatics, Athletics, Games, and Health-Related Activity), which broadens their experience of physical activity. Progression through the year groups results in pupils being constantly challenged, not just in skill-orientated practices but also in their understanding of concepts. Pupils are encouraged to see PE and sport not just as a core subject in school, but also something that they can pursue as a course in further education and/or as a profession in the future.
Equality of Access
In Blackrock College all pupils are encouraged, regardless of colour, race, religion, ability, educational needs or social circumstances, to enjoy physical activity and to gain success and satisfaction at their own personal level. Pupils are expected to value, respect and recognise the contribution of others, so that all members of the class environment feel comfortable to partake in activities, ask and answer questions and share their experiences.
Organisation
The PE Department at Blackrock College is made up of four qualified PE teachers, of which one is the Head of Department, plus a Games Administrator who oversees the extensive extra-curricular programme. Pupils in 2nd Year and Transition Year receive one double period of PE per week, whilst 3rd and 5th Year pupils have one single class per week. Through the Games Administrator and the support of the Year Deans, most students will also take advantage of the extra-curricular activities available to them. Our activities range from the highly competitive Leinster Senior Cup rugby tournament to the ‘Free Swim’ on a Wednesday afternoon, again clarifying the College’s promotion of ‘Sport for All’. Pupils are expected to comply with the PE department’s kit requirements as outlined below:
House tee-shirt/Blackrock rugby jersey/Blackrock polo shirt/College tracksuit
White shorts
Runners and boots
Non participation in practical classes
All pupils take part in physical education practical classes unless excused through either a written note or through an email sent that day to the member of staff in charge of that class. Those pupils who have been excused will be involved in the class in some other capacity.
Assessment
Assessment is based largely on effort and attitude shown by pupils in their class environment. Each pupil will receive a formal application mark after each class that parents receive at the end of the week, in line with the College’s assessment procedure. Teachers also record fitness test results, athletics standards and swimming times, and on-going teacher assessment takes place with comments being logged and filed into a personal pupil portfolio. The record scores in each year group are published on the Sports Hall noticeboard and updated accordingly. Formal reporting in PE is to take place at the end of the winter and spring terms, again in line with the College’s policy.
