TY Update May 2017 | Page 26

3RD ANNUAL PEXPO - bigger and better Students from Scoil Mhuire in Cobh, Co Cork, walked away with 3 awards, including the prize for the best overall project, at the 3rd annual school sports PExpo held at Trinity Comprehensive, Ballymun on 8 March 2017. ! Their group’s project, titled MEMO – Move early, move often, focuses on improving fundamental movement skills among young people. The group defined “Fundamental movement skills” as “the basic skills needed to play sport (examples include running and throwing). Without the right technique it is difficult to excel.” ! The group comprises students Sam Noonan, Caoimhe Leahy, Orna McCarthy and Sean Meade ! "We wanted to come up with a word that was early to remember for our project which concentrates raising awareness of the importance of getting children active from an early age," said Sam Noonan So the group focused not only on identifying six fundamentals of movement but on providing photographic examples of how to improve on all these. To put their ideas into practice they recruited a group of 5th class students from their own school and photographed them undertaking the movements. ! Conor Cantwell, last year's winner from CBS Kilkenny, presented the team with their prize. The group also won the peer judged senior award. ! Xpo is a competition ! PE that examines the behind sport. ! science ! It’s a great way to get ! pupils inspired about the ! aspects of physical ! vital education and to showcase their projects. ! The group invited classes from four local primary schools to participate in their workshop. The workshop involved 5 stations, each focused on a different fundamental movement skill. "We set up our own website and Twitter and also produced a handbook that we hope could be useful for teachers." T Y UPDATE MAY 2017 "We are every pleased both with the increased number of entries this year and the higher standards. We are hoping next year's PExpo will be bigger and better," said Paddy O'Reilly chairman of the organising committee.