Buntús Generic

South Dublin County Sports Partnership and the Irish Sports Council recognise the major role that sport and physical activity can play in the lives of young people. It is important that an enjoyable multi-sport and non-competitive model is used to introduce our children to sport and physical activity complementing and enhancing both our school and community sport programmes.

Buntús Play and Buntús Multi Sport are two new exciting programmes developed to support teachers in introducing young people to sport and helping to develop their interest in physical activity.

The three key components of the programme - training, resource cards and equipment - are designed to provide easy to understand and accessible support to give children a fun but high quality introduction to a variety of sporting activities. The Buntús programme for schools is being locally delivered and supported through the South Dublin County Sports Partnership.

To the end of June 2010, 57 primary schools, comprising of over 1,100 teachers and 16,500 pupils, throughout South Dublin County have received the Buntús Programme (see list below). The combined figure for equipment and training is almost €40,000 – free of charge. We would hope to introduce the programme to all schools in the county by the end of the 2011/12 school year when the programme will finish. We will however continue to offer refresher training after this date.

The teacher training is critical to the success of the programme and all the teachers in a school are asked to attend the training. This helps ensure that Buntús is delivered to every class in the school resulting in more children enjoying the benefits of broad skill development through Buntús.

How will Buntús benefit schools?

  • Offers quality, child-centred equipment, resources and training.
  • Raises the profile of physical education and sport in the schools.
  • Improves physical education training opportunities for teachers.
  • Provides alternative enjoyable and meaningful activity for children.
  • Supports the delivery of the National Curriculum.

How do children benefit?

  • Develop new broad-based sporting skills.
  • Learn and develop life skills.
  • Use sport for development of physical, mental and social health and wellbeing.
  • Develop the lifelong habit of physical activity for healthy living.
  • Have fun and enjoyment!

The following schools have already undertaken Buntús training:

  • Abacus, Special School, Kilnamanagh
  • Adamstown Castle NS
  • Ballyroan BNS, Rathfarnham
  • Esker Educate Together N.S, Lucan
  • Gaelscoil Chillain Dolcáin
  • Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna
  • Gaelscoil Naomh Pádraig, Lucan
  • Glenasmole N.S
  • Griffeen Valley Educate Together, Lucan
  • Holy Family NS, Rathcoole
  • Lucan East Educate Together
  • Lucan Educate Together N.S
  • Our Lady Queen of the Apostles N.S, Clondalkin
  • Saplings Special School, Rathfarnham
  • Scoil Aonghusa Junior & Senior Schools, Balrothery
  • Scoil Chroi Ro Naofa JNS, Killenarden
  • Scoil Iosa, Tymon North
  • Scoil Maelruain Junior & Senior Schools, Old Bawn
  • Scoil Mhuire, Ballyboden
  • Scoil Mhuire, Clondalkin
  • Scoil Naomh Caoimhin, Kilnamanagh
  • Scoil Naomh Padraig, Rathfarnham
  • Scoil Santain, Tamhlacht
  • Scoil Treasa, Firhouse
  • St. Aidan's S.N.S, Brookfield
  • St. Andrews NS, Lucan
  • St. Bernadette's S.N.S, Quarryvale
  • St. Colmcille's J.N.S., Knocklyon
  • St. Damians, Walkinstown
  • St. John The Evangelist, Adamstown
  • St. Joseph's BNS, Clondalkin
  • St. Kevins GNS, Kilnamanagh
  • St. Killians Junior & Senior Schools, Kingswood
  • St. Marks Junior & Senior Schools, Springfield
  • St. Marys BNS, Lucan
  • St. Marys BNS, Rathfarnham
  • St. Mary's N.S, Tallaght
  • St. Mary's NS, Saggart
  • St. Paul's Junior & Senior Primary Schools, Walkinstown
  • St. Peter Apostle S.N.S, Neilstown
  • St. Peters B.N.S, Walkinstown
  • St. Ronan's N.S, Deansrath
  • Scoil Carmel, Firhouse
  • Ard Mhuire, Tallaght
  • St. Martin de Porres, Old Bawn, Tallaght
  • St. Finnians, Newcastle
  • St. Thomas SNS, Tallaght
  • St. Thomas JNS, Tallaght
  • Talbot SNS, Clondalkin
  • Nano Nagle, Clondalkin
  • Ballycragh NS, Holy Rosary, Tallaght
  • St. Josephs, Tallaght