Last Updated: 15th July 2010

All pupils and parents love this annual sporting event, and as the pupils get older, an element of competition is introduced. Each event takes a huge amount of planning, scheduling and detailed execution. Many thanks to the staff of the Sports Departments and teaching staff for running these events so efficiently.

This year, the John Scottus Annual Sports Days were re-grouped from the Junior School and Senior School groupings to three separate groupings. Forms 1, 2 and 1st Class Sports Day was held on 23rd June in Herbert Park with emphasis on fun and participation for all. 2nd - 6th Class Sports Day was held at U.C.D. Sports Grounds in Belfield on 11th June and the Secondary School Sports Day was held on 11th May at U.C.D. Sports grounds also.

Thanks to our volunteer photographers at each event - teachers and parents - who help to record these sporting and fun events for pupils, parents and staff.

Form 1, Form 2 and 1st Class Sports Day
23rd June 2010

After the success of of 2nd -6th class Sports day in UCD, the ever reliable Mr. Gibney was charged with orchestrating an equally satisfying day for the youngest set in the school; not an easy brief especially as the cluster of end of term events kept calling on the reserves of all the staff and available assistants were a little thin on the ground.

But undaunted, time, place and theme were decided; Herbert Park, 1.15-3.00 and fun, fun fun was the theme. A quick prayer was also sent up to the heavens to keep the clouds at bay and to ensure that ‘the eye of heaven ‘would not shine ‘too hot’ for us on our particular day. The prayer was answered and the threatening clouds which teachers in JSS become expert in reading made only a brief visit and then sailed by.

Many thanks to Niall Loftus, parent,  for the fantastic photos of this event.



While with the older children it is appreciated that competition is a legitimate ingredient in Sport and children need to learn to handle it with intelligence and skill, for the under 6’s, having fun is still the key element. Warm up routines such as star jumps and side bends are just as significant in the young child’s mind as reaching the tape first in the egg and spoon race.

Skilful organisation of the children for the various races contributed to the success of the day. Each class had its own teacher and participated as a unit. These intimate and familiar groupings gave the children a sense of ease and insecurity and when Mums and Dads arrived to see them in action, no one was overlooked and every child could revel in the cheers from the sidelines.

Some parents discovered a talent they may not have known they had. When two assistants failed to materialize, two intrepid Mums stepped up to the mark and took charge. They looked like they were born to the task and we will keep them in mind for the next sporting event in JSS!!!

Running races, obstacle courses, relay races and fun events were the order of the day and it was a delightful occasion.

2nd - 6th Class Sports Day 
11th June 2010
The UCD Sports Complex was awash with colours on Friday 11th June as children from 2nd to 6th class from John Scottus primary school gathered for their annual Sports Day! The sun was shining brightly as the buses unloaded at the start of what was to be a fun-filled day for all…!

To kick-start the events of the day, Mr. O’Callaghan, loudspeaker in hand, gathered together the ten teams, each named after a well-known street in our school’s locality. The order of the day was explained to all before the children, clad (and in some cases, painted) in their team colours, split into their class groups and headed for the tracks. Teachers, with whistles and score-sheets at the ready, braced themselves for a busy morning!



The first event of the day was the 100m sprint. A number of heats were organised for every class and some keenly contested finals followed! The underlying goal for the children was to earn some valuable points for their team! The 200m event followed in a similar fashion, before the children then prepared themselves for the ever-popular potato-and-spoon event!

Needing a break (and a bit of a giggle) before the final event of the morning, the children sat back to watch the teachers’ three-legged race! While there were one or two tumbles among the field of contenders, Mr. Gibney, with Mrs. Reddan in tow, used his P.E. expertise to take the honours!

Finally, following a round of relay races, the events of the morning came to a close, and children and teachers alike, sat down for a well-deserved break. While the children tucked into their packed lunches, the teachers were spoilt with an array of sandwiches and some tea and coffee, kindly prepared by the kitchen staff.

It was not long, however, before the events of the afternoon got underway. Following instructions from Mr. Sheils, each team headed off for a series of handball matches, which were umpired superbly by the teachers. Once again, team spirit and cooperation were vital components of the afternoon, as the overall objective was to earn as many team points as possible.

When, at 2:45pm, the whistle, signalling the end of the final handball match of the day, resounded around the sports complex, the frantic calculations got underway, while children, parents and teachers gathered and waited in anticipation for the results!

The awards ceremony commenced with the presentation of gold and silver medals to individuals who were successful in the morning events of the day. This was followed by the eagerly awaited announcement of the winning team. It was a very close contest but the honours of the day went to Clyde Road and a congratulatory cheer resounded as Mrs. Telford presented the triumphant team with their well-earned trophy!


Updated: 14th May 2010

Secondary School Sports Day - 11th May 2010