Dean Kelly NS students team up with Mayor for local pitch improvements

Pupils of the Dean Kelly National School have teamed up with Mayor of Athlone Cllr Aengus O’Rourke to improve the local all-weather pitch located at Battery Heights.

The boys began the campaign in 2019, which in involved writing to O’Rourke, who responded immediately.

ABOVE: students of the Dean Kelly NS pictured with Mayor of Athlone Cllr Aengus O'Rourke.

Speaking about the improved pitch, the mayor said:

“The boys put forward a detailed plan of how they would like the line markings on the hard surface pitch to be laid out. They had just commenced a new play time initiative called ‘Playworks’ which required bespoke line markings on the pitch surface. I was delighted to help out where I could, they are a great bunch of lads and the Dean Kelly is a wonderful school.

“The school is very lucky to have this facility across the road and due to the surface improvements, the pitch is getting a lot more use from both the school children and the resident children in the area.

“I was delighted to work closely with the boys, together we came up with a plan and thankfully it all worked out well. The work would have happened before now, but Covid set us back a few months,” he explained.

Principal Sandra Lennon said that staff members trained in an American Yard initiative called Playworks, which is based on the concept of every child playing and having free choice of what to play.

“This innovative way of playing at yard time led to a need for new and improved line markings to allow the boys explore and develop their games and playtime experience.

“The boys also have strategies and tools to resolve playground conflicts and even the adults are welcome to play and join in on the fun! The choice of games varies from traditional playground games such as ‘Duck, Duck, Goose’ to ball games such as the popular ‘4 square.’

“The Playworks programme also includes a School Crew, children who help out with organising equipment and also overseeing the set-up of many group games. Being a member of this crew is a much sought-after role and those involved are rewarded each term with a special outing to a local restaurant to have their School Crew Breakfast.

“Having the correct line markings completed on the pitch means the boys can fully embrace the Playworks games and also enjoy these activities after school as many of the boys live in the Battery Heights area. This improvement has benefited the wider community. The boys are already talking about starting the next campaign of getting basketball hoops so hopefully more good news has yet to come.”

The initiative was completed with the support and help of Westmeath County Council.