Swimming
Swimming has formed part of the P.E. Curriculum in Cloghroe School for well over twenty years. Initially it was just the senior classes who learned to swim. In the early days we ventured northside to Churchfield Pool, where many years of enjoyable swimming action took place. Foremost amongst them was the famous Northside Gala, a red-letter day in the school calendar, when schools on the northside of Cork City competed for honours amid a flurry of poolside music and cheering supporters. Under the coaching of former teacher Mr. Gerry Keady, the boys and girls often returned to Cloghroe with cups and medals galore.
In more recent times, we have ventured southside and have enjoyed the coaching at Leisureworld Bishopstown. Third Class are the class selected for almost continuous coaching throughout the year, in order to maximise their chances of learning to swim. Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Classes receive refresher courses of approximately six weeks duration. All the coaches are trained and great attention is paid, not only to the coaching but also to water safety and poolside behaviour as well. Between transport, coaching and pool-hire, swimming is a costly activity for parents, but generally parents and the school feel it is a good investment. In the past few years we have been in a position to subsidise the cost from hall income and this has reduced the imposition on parents considerably.
As swimming is the main part of the Aquatics Strand of the P.E. curriculum, we are delighted to see the children enjoy learning to swim and gain a healthy respect for water at the same time.
In more recent times, we have ventured southside and have enjoyed the coaching at Leisureworld Bishopstown. Third Class are the class selected for almost continuous coaching throughout the year, in order to maximise their chances of learning to swim. Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Classes receive refresher courses of approximately six weeks duration. All the coaches are trained and great attention is paid, not only to the coaching but also to water safety and poolside behaviour as well. Between transport, coaching and pool-hire, swimming is a costly activity for parents, but generally parents and the school feel it is a good investment. In the past few years we have been in a position to subsidise the cost from hall income and this has reduced the imposition on parents considerably.
As swimming is the main part of the Aquatics Strand of the P.E. curriculum, we are delighted to see the children enjoy learning to swim and gain a healthy respect for water at the same time.