What activities are being organised for the 2025/26 school year?
ECA Timetable
**ECA Schedule is subject to change. Highlighted classes have not yet been confirmed.
What time will the classes be held?
- Junior and Senior Infants will run from 1:10-2:05 PM.
- Classes will run from 2:10-3:10 PM for the 1st-6th Classes.
- Adventure Club runs from 2:10-4:10 PM
How will children get to and from ECA classes?
- The ECA supervisor and provider will collect the students from their class teacher, and ensure they are delivered to their ECA.
- The ECA provider will bring the children outside for collection at the end of their ECA.
- The ECA supervisor will take children attending Explorers to their classroom.
Where will children be collected after the activities?
- Junior and Senior Infants will be collected from the small yard near the bike racks.
- 1st-6th Class: For outside activities, the children can be collected from the yard where the activity takes place.
- For all indoor classes, children will be brought into the small yard for pick-up.
- On rainy days, all classes may be collected directly outside the door closest to the bike rack.
What is the Term Duration?:
Term 1: 6th October-13th February, 15 weeks.(No ECA classes during the first week of Parent/Teacher Meetings, date to be confirmed).
Term 2: 23rd February- 19th June, 15 weeks
What is the cost?
Final prices are listed in the above schedule.
**An additional Processing Fee of €1 is added to each completed transaction, helping to cover the cost of payment fees.
Apart from reading this section, how can I get ready in advance?
Please read through our Terms and Conditions and the school’s code of behaviour, as you will be asked to confirm you have read and agreed with them before a booking can be completed.
How long will places be available?
We will send out an informative email each term with all the details regarding the ECA schedule, how to enrol, and when the registration process ends. In most cases, registration will close one week before the start of each ECA term.
What if a class is cancelled?
We make every effort to keep the amount of cancellations to a minimum. However, if a class needs to be cancelled, the ECA Provider will contact the parents and inform you at least 2 hours before school collection time.
How can I ensure I’m contacted for cancellations?
We will only make a phone call if the class is canceled less than 2 hours prior to the end of the school day.
Cancellations over 2 hours prior to the end of school, we will notify parents/guardians by email and via our ECA WhatsApp Group.
Upon registration, we ask for a contact email address. Please ensure you give an address that is monitored daily. Don’t forget to save eca@stepasideetns.ie as a safe address to avoid messages entering your spam/junk folder.
At the start of each term, you will receive a link to join our information-only WhatsApp group. This group is for quickly sending broadcast messages to our parents. There is no ability to reply to messages, which keeps the thread from unnecessary clutter.
Do you offer refunds?
We want to make ECA enjoyable for everyone involved and like to give children the opportunity to try new things. We understand that children may change their minds or not enjoy a class as much as they had hoped. ECA is a fundraiser for the school, and all monies collected are allocated to the school for upkeep and the purchase of much-needed equipment and supplies.
Below is our refund policy.
- If, within the first two weeks, your child is unhappy. They may drop the class, and upon request, a refund for the remaining courses will be issued.
- If the child is unhappy after two weeks, we may offer a spot in another ECA class if space is available.
- If no spaces are available, you may request we apply a credit for the remaining classes in the next term.
- The 1:10 Club is run by outside providers and we cannot make changes once the term begins; and we cannot offer any refunds if your child opts out of the class. However, we can offer a spot in another ECA if space is available, or offer a credit toward the next term.
Is there an ECA Supervisor on Duty?
Yes, the school employs an ECA Supervisor who is available to help for the duration of ECA. The supervisor will help collect children for their ECA classes, make sure they are picked up after class, and help the Providers with anything they may need, such as calling a parent for a sick child, taking children to and from the toilets, or sitting with a child who is misbehaving.
Our supervisor for the 2025/26 school year is Sarah Hallak. You may contact her at: 083 128 4225. This number is only monitored during ECA hours, 1.00-3:30pm Mon-Fri.
My child has an SNA in school, can they join the activities?
For pupils who have been assigned an SNA during the school day, it is acknowledged that they may need an increased level of support in extra-curricular classes also. SNA’s are employed by the school, and we may only have limited access to an SNA during ECA hours. Each parent may need to provide their own SNA or be present for lessons if the child needs extra assistance. Each provider will be accommodating and inclusive of all pupils; however, if issues arise, the Provider will speak to the parents and discuss the best course of action.
My child got a place in Term 1, will preference be given to us next term?
No. Upon review of our ECA Policy and in line with our school's ethos, if your child is given a place in Term 1, there is no guarantee they will get a place in the same class in Term 2. Each term will be a fresh start to give all students a fair opportunity to take part in the ECA programme.
From time to time, we will make an exception to this rule, if the class is building over the term it may be necessary to keep students in for the full year to continue building skills. Ukelele class will give top priority to students enrolled in the first term.
I’ve already informed the school about my child’s specific circumstances, do I need to inform the ECA provider also?
Extracurricular activities happen outside of school hours and operate under their own policies and practices. Due to GDPR rules and regulations, the school cannot, under any circumstances, share contact information, medical information, or information on the children's personal circumstances with the PAC or an ECA provider. It is the parent's responsibility to inform the ECA Provider, supervisor, or coordinator of any special circumstances.
Class descriptions:
1:10 CLUB
The “1.10 Club” is held daily and facilitated by “Explorers Afterschool.” The children will spend most of their time outdoors, playing in the yard. On days with inclement weather, the club will move indoors where your child will be given a variety of activities including building blocks, colouring, and games.
Class Note: A minimum of two days required. Once the term has begun no changes or cancellations can be made.
ADVENTURE CLUB (5th- 6th Class)
Adventure Club is a hiking/outdoor activity class brought to us by Adrian Nolan. For two hours, Adrian will work closely with the students to teach them survival skills and wilderness techniques. They will spend their time in Fern Hill building shelters, constructing bows, arrows, and slingshots, learning to safely build fires, and learn basic survival skills, all while practising a “leave no trace” attitude. For more information or to register for this course, please email us directly at eca@stepasideetns.ie
ARTS & CRAFTS (Junior/Senior Infants)
Arts and Crafts for our Jr/Sr Infants is taught by parents and PAC members Emma McKenna and Laura Peters, each of whom runs their own craft businesses. Each week, the children will be encouraged to have fun with art and develop their motor and creative skills via various tasks. They will be crafting and creating in this active make-and-do class.
ARTS & CRAFTS (1st-6th class)
Arts & Crafts for the 1st-6th classes is led by 4th class teacher Shauna. This class will explore various media and learn new techniques each week, helping children tap into their creativity. The children will create a new piece of artwork each week.
BOOK CLUB (1st-6th class)
Book Club is divided into two classes, teacher Clara (1st class) teachers the 1st-3rd class children and teacher Emma S. (1st class) teaches 4th-6th class students. Book club students will pick a book to read over and discuss over the term. Book Club may involve discussing books in general, tips on choosing books, take time for independent reading, and at times the two classes may combine to read together.
CHESS CLUB (1st-6th class)
Chess Club is led by teachers Eve (Sr. Infants) and Niamh (Jr. Infants). The children will learn basic rules and strategies while practicing their skills each week.
CHOIR (2nd-6th class)
Choir is taught by teacher Kate (Stepping Stones). This class is separate from our 4th class Peace Poms choir. Kate will teach students a variety of songs, teaching them the basics of harmony and reading music.
CODING (4th-6th class)
Coding is taught by teacher Aoife ( class) and parent Kevin Miller. With the use of in-school iPads, the children learn concepts and methods of coding by utilising block-based development tools.
DRAMA AND DEBATE (4th-6th class)
Jr. Infant teacher Sabrina teaches this class. Children will learn skills in both drama and debate. Children will gain confidence as they learn to form debates through critical thinking, working together and, performing either skits, improvisation or debates.
FUNTASTIC CLUB (Junior/Senior Infants)
The FunTastic Club is brought to us by Sarah Hallack, our ECA Supervisor. This is a fun club for the infants that will be a mix of physical, creative and fun activities. They may do anything from sports, games, drama, Lego and outdoor activities when the weather permits.
HOCKEY (4th - 6th class)
This class is run by Jr. Infant teachers Jess and Sabrina. Children will learn the basics and improve their fitness in a fun environment.
Class Note: All students must come prepared with a mouthguard, shin guards, proper footwear (running shoes), and plenty of water, as this is a very active class.
IRISH CLUB (1st - 6th class)
The Irish club is led by teacher Sabrina (Junior Infants). In this class, your child will further develop their Irish language skills through games, play, and practice.
LEGO CLUB (1st-6th class)
Lego Club is run by teachers Aoife (2nd class) and Niamh (Sr. Infants). The class will focus on creativity and team building with new building ideas and challenges each week.
MIXED SPORTS (1st - 6th class)
Mixed Sports is run by teachers Paudie (3rd class) and Eve (Sr. Infants). The class will focus on specific sports in 3-4 week increments, which may include rounders, handball, basketball, and rugby.
Class Note: Please ensure your child has proper footwear (runners) and plenty of water, as this is a very active class.
MODERN DANCE (Infants - 3rd class)
Ciara Hannon of Darcy Dance brings this class to us. Modern Dance is a fun dance and movement class filled with exciting games, songs, and dance. This class will work on incorporating dance movements from jazz, ballet, and contemporary. A great introduction to dance for children who are interested but may not know what style or where to start! No previous dance experience is required.
MUSICAL THEATRE (2nd - 6th class)
Musical Theatre is taught by teacher Kate Canavan (Stepping Stones). She will teach skills based on musical theatre, which will include a mix of singing, dancing, and drama.
SCIENCE CLUB (1st - 6th class)
Science Club is taught by teacher Sarah Morris (3rd class). In this class, children will learn different schools of science through experiments and projects.
Class Note: Students may be asked to bring in common household items from time to time to use in experiments or projects. Things like toilet rolls, baking soda, or similar items.
SOCCER (1st - 6th class)
Soccer is led by teachers Paudie (3rd class). The children will practice the basics of soccer, including warm-ups, drills, and a match at the end of each class.
Class Note: Please ensure your child has proper footwear (runners) and plenty of water, as this is a very active class.
SPANISH CLUB (1st - 6th class)
Spanish is taught by Senior Infant teacher Clara (1st class). This Spanish class will teach elements of the language and culture through activities, games, song, and dance.
TABLE GAMES (3rd-6th class)
Table games are led by Mark (SET). Mark will introduce the children to a variety of card games, board games, and some strategy-based games. Games may include: Gin, Rummy, Uno, Cribbage, Pinochle, and other similar games.
UKULELE LESSONS (3rd-6th class)
This beginner course is brought to us by parents, Mathieu Cote and Peter Szlovak, both of whom have a history of teaching and playing various instruments. The course will focus on helping students become comfortable holding and strumming the ukulele, tuning, chords, reading music, and learning to play a song or two.
Class Note: Ukuleles are provided for use during class time. A €15 rental deposit will be taken at registration and each student will be provided an instrument to take home and practice. You may waive the fee if your child has an instrument at home.
Volleyball (4th-6th class)
Volleyball is run by teacher Sarah (3rd class). In this active class, students will learn the basic skills of volleyball. Each class will be divided into drills and matches.
Class Note: All students must come prepared with a knee pads, arm guards, proper footwear (running shoes), and plenty of water, as this is an active class.
YOGA (Infants - 6th class)
Anne-Marie’s Yoga Bears is returning again this year. Yoga is a fun way for kids to calm their racing minds and bodies through Yoga and Mindfulness activities.
Class Note: Children are encouraged to bring their own yoga mat and wear shoes they can fasten themselves. Yoga mats are provided for those who forget.
For all other questions or queries, please email: eca@stepasideetns.ie