National COW Day (Cycle on Wednesday/Weekdays) took place as part of National Bike Week on Wednesday, June 18th.
Over 220 pupils from Junior Infants to sixth class at Scoil na nAingeal Naofa in Boyle, Co. Roscommon cycled to school on National COW Day with their parents and teachers also getting on their bikes and setting a great example. David Gunning from Roscommon Sports Partnership/Trailcycling organised a cycle around Boyle on the day for the older pupils where they got to practise all the new skills they learned as part of cycle training – including signalling on the two roundabouts close to the school.
Pupils from third to sixth class in Scoil na nAingeal Naofa completed Level 1 and Level 2 cycle training with Noel Feely and David from Roscommon Sports Partnership during May. Following the training the Sports Partnership launched a competition to encourage as many pupils and teachers in schools throughout County Roscommon to cycle to school on National COW Day. At Scoil na nAingil Naofa parents, teachers, students, Green-Schools Coordinator and the principal all made a huge effort to ensure won their category.
Green-Schools Co-ordinator Catherine Connolly led by example on National COW Day when she decided she would cycle the 15km to school. Following surgery on both of her knees in recent years Catherine took up cycling after her physiotherapist encouraged her to do so as a form of rehab. Catherine cycles every weekend now following a gap of 37 years of no cycling and finds that if she doesn’t cycle pain returns into her knees. National COW Day and the Roscommon Sports and Recreation Partnership Competition encouraged Catherine to train for the 15km journey to school.
Lisa McDaniel Green-Schools Travel Education Officer cycled to school with Catherine on COW Day (pictured above) and said: “I was delighted to join Catherine on her first cycle to school – there was a huge sense of achievement in completing the journey and meeting the pupils walking and cycling to school. She is a fantastic role model for Green-Schools Travel in the school and nationally. Congratulations!”
