Get Active Gortin PS!

Aim

Gortin PS PTA's aim to offer after school sports activities for ALL children in years 1-7 several days per week from September to March.

Who are we?

We are the PTA of Gortin Primary School.  We are a small rural primary school located in the picturesque foothills of the Sperrin Mountains in County Tyrone.  The school was opened in February 1983, our school has a strong sense of community between family, friends and neighbours.

https://gortinps.com/ 

Why are we crowdfunding?

Gortin PS PTA aim to increase participation in after school sports activities by expanding our current, limited program. We will offer kids of all ages (4 to 11) the chance to stay after school and be introduced to and participate further in a variety of sports including football, hockey and tennis by qualified coaches in a fun and safe environment.  The money will enable us to provide coaches to run the after school activities.  Coaching sessions in both hockey and football will focus on passing, shooting and dribbling the ball focusing on small sided mini games to ensure full participation by all children.  In Tennis, sessions will focus on forehand, backhand and service again played through small sided adapted mini games.  Neuro diverse football sessions will include focus and task completion, Social interaction and friendship building, emotional regulation and confidence, physical development and core strength. 

The PTA would like to put into motion the 'Get Active Gortin PS' Project.  Our school is in a remote rural location, there are limited sports or after school activities within a 12 mile radius proving impossible for most of the parents within our school community to attend after school sports, this has been heightened further by the cost of living crisis. The project will offer our rural kids of all abilities from 4 years old the opportunity to stay after school several days per weeks and be introduced to new sports. Our aim is to increase participation in a variety of sports to increase physical activity and improve mental health and wellbeing.  The project would allow children to socialise and have fun with children of their own age in our remote, rural area.  They would develop resilience, build confidence, promote problem solving skills and a sense of belonging, as children play sport in a familiar, safe environment.  This safe environment is so important so that we have an inclusive environment for our children with Special Educational Needs.  The project will have a lasting legacy as children will be in the routine of playing sport after school from a young age and we will have equipment to allow the children to remain active after the project. 

Beginning September

As children settle into their new school year many will face anxieties and worries about a change of teacher/classroom/ routine etc.  We aim to support the mental health and wellbeing of our Neuro diverse children as well as all children in our school by providing our children with 6 weeks of Relax Kids, taking them from a state of exercise and high energy to a state of calm as well as equipping them with the necessary tools to assist with self regulation back in the classroom. 

Term 1A:

• In Term 1A children in Years 1-3 would have after school Neuro diverse football/multi skills from 2-3pm  1 day per week for 8 weeks.
• In Term 1A children in Years 4 and 5 would have after school Neuro diverse football from 3-4pm 1 day per week for 8 weeks.
• In Term 1A children in Years 6 and 7 would have Neuro diverse football from 3-4pm 1 day per week for 8 weeks. 

Term 1B:

• In Term 1B children in Years 1-3 would have after school multi sports from 2-3pm 2 days per week for 7 weeks.
• In Term 1B children in Years 4 and 5 would have after school hockey from 3-4pm 1 day per week for 7 weeks.
• In Term 1B children in Years 6 and 7 would have after school football from 3-4pm 1 day per week for  weeks

Term 2A

• In Term 2A children in Years 1-3 would have after school multi sports from 2-3pm 2 days per week for 6 weeks.
• In Term 3 children in Years 4 and 5 would have after school football from 3-4pm 1 day per week for 6 weeks.
• In Term 3 children in Years 6 and 7 would have after school hockey sports from 3-4pm 1 day per week for 6 weeks
• We would hold a inter schools football tournament.

Term 2B

• In Term 2B children in Years 1-3 would have after school multi sports from 2-3pm 2 days per week for 6 weeks.
• In Term 3 children in Years 4 and 5 would have after school tennis from 3-4pm 1 day per week for 6 weeks.
• In Term 3 children in Years 6 and 7 would have after school tennis from 3-4pm 1 day per week for 6 weeks
• We would hold a Junior (yr 4/5) and Senior (yr6/7) Tennis Tournament within our school making use of the local tennis courts.  

Parents and teachers within the school community have noted the need for this after school sports project.  In a recent self evaluative, school improvement survey completed by our stakeholders parents have requested more after school activities, as there are very limited activities within out local area and they don't want their children to miss out on opportunities due to our geographical location.  We plan to bring sport to our children. 

How we’ll spend the money raised

The increased financial support from crowd funder will allow us to pay coaches to lead new and additional after school sports for all children.  It will also allow us to purchase some much needed new sports equipment as well as a new school football/sports kit for sporting events.  The project will also go towards funding for the rising cost of transport to sporting events and tournaments Our project would run for 8 weeks in Term 1A, 7 weeks in Term 1B, 6 weeks in Term 2A and 6 weeks in Term 2B/  Children in Yr 1-3 will have the opportunity to  stay behind for after school sports from 2-3pm and children in Yr 4-7 from 3-4 pm.  We do not want the cost of living crisis nor our geographical location to be a barrier to sports for our children.  

• Term 1A = £1359
• Relax Kids 6 weeks: £360
• Neuro diverse football 1 hour session x 8 weeks x 3 classes (24 hours) = £999
• Term 1B = £3080
• Coaching 4 hours per week x 8 weeks = 28 hours.  £7 per childx8 weeksx55 kids = £3080 (2 hours multi skills per week, 1 hour hockey, 1 hour football per week)
• Term 2A = £2610
• Coaching 4 hours per week x 6 weeks = 24 hours.  £7 per child x6 weeks x 55 kids = £2310 (2 hours multi skills per week, 1 hour hockey, 1 hour football per week)
• Inter school football tournament (medals, referees, treats, cup, pitch hire) - £300
• Term 2B = £2610
• Coaching 4 hours per week x 6 weeks = 24 hours.  £7 per child x6 weeks x 55 kids = £2310 (2 hours multi skills per week, 2 hours tennis per week)
• Junior and Senior Tennis Tournament  (medals, court hire, treats, cups) - £300
• Project Specific Equipment: £ 347
  • 10 hockey sticks = £100
  • 12 Footballs = £100
  • 12 Junior tennis rackets with bag £130
  • Junior Tennis Balls £17 

Gortin Primary School and the Community

Gortin Primary School has a strong link to the local community.  We have links with the community centre and The Conservation Volunteers who supported us the in the planting of our school forest. Our school in one of the main hubs of the community where locals come to events such as our Harvest service and Christmas Pantomime.  We have held a Christmas Craft Fair where local businesses are invited to set up stalls and locals can come to shop, this includes a Santa's Grotto where children within the community gather for some Christmas excitement.  We have also held a wreath making class where members of the wider community have gathered together to make wreaths, this was supported by the Conservation volunteers.  We held a bingo night and big draw where local businesses in the community donated prizes. Our school attend the switching on of the Christmas tree lights in the village and sing for the elderly in the community center. We held a community event to mark the Coronation of King Charles we we opened our school to the community for a tea party as well as singing and dancing, creating a fantastic community spirit.  We participate in Shared Education projects with St. Peter's PS in Plumbridge and St. Patrick's PS inn Gortin where our school was used to host outdoor play sessions.  

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made