What activities are being organised for the 2024/25 school year?
ECA Timetable
(See below for class descriptions)
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: 7th October-14th February, 16 weeks.
Term 2: 24th February- 20th 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.
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 2024/25 school year is Sarah Hallak, a parent of two of our students.
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.
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 (4th- 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
Art for the 1st-6th classes is led by teacher Kate Canavan (Stepping Stones). Kate will teach new techniques each week, helping children tap into their creativity. Through painting and drawing, the children will create a new piece of artwork each week.
CHESS CLUB
Chess Club is led by teachers Eve (5th class) and Niamh (2nd class). The children will learn basic rules and strategies while practicing their skills each week.
CODING
Coding is taught by teacher Leona (6th 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.
CROCHET
Crochet is taught by teacher Jane (1st Class). In this class, students will be taught the basics of crochet and work on creating a crochet project.
Class Note: Students will need to bring a crochet hook, size H or 5mm, and worsted/medium weighted yarn.
FOOTBALL (Senior Infants)
Football is being brought to our Sr. Infants from parent Manuel. Manuel is a 'football passionate' dad whom you can find at any family gathering playing a match with the kids or cheering on his home team, Malaga FC. Manuel volunteers as an academy coach for the local club Wayside Celtic and holds certificates in FAI Safeguarding 1, FAI Referee Beginners, and UEFA Grassroots Leader. His hope is for the kids to have fun and make friends while learning the basic skills of football.
Class Note: Please ensure your child has proper footwear (runners) and plenty of water, as this is a very active class.
GAA
GAA is taught by Junior Infants teacher, Sabrina. Over the term the students practice their GAA skills with drills and matches geared to improve their technique.
Class Note: Please ensure your child has proper footwear (runners) and plenty of water, as this is a very active class.
HOCKEY
This class is run by Jr. Infant teachers Ailish and Jess. Children will learn the basics and improve their fitness in a fun environment.
Class Note: All students must come prepared with a mouth guard, shin guards, proper footwear (runners), and plenty of water, as this is a very active class.
IRISH CLUB
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.
KUNG FU
Master Yang Dong brings Kung Fu to our school. Master Dong has developed a range of exercises aimed at primary children based on Kung Fu and Tai Chi animal movements. These are non-contact forms that introduce children to the physical benefits of Chinese sports in a safe, highly enjoyable way.
Class Note: Students may be asked to purchase Nunchaku for the class. You may do this ahead of time, or Master Yang will sell them for 15 euro near the start of class.
LEGO CLUB
Lego Club is run by teachers Aoileann (Senior Infants) and Ciarán (1st class). The class will focus on creativity and team building by with new building ideas and challenges each week.
MANDALA ART
Mandala art is taught by parent Binish Khan. Binish is a talented artist who specialises in many art forms, including Mandala. Binish will teach the basics of creating Mandala art through simple line drawings to learning leaf drawing, and then expanding into Circular Mandala. If your child enjoys drawing, they will enjoy learning this type of art.Class Note: Students are asked to bring, A3 sized Sketch/Art Book, black pen, pencil case, colour pencils, geometry/maths set with protractor and compass, and thin markers.
MATHS CLUB
Maths Club is taught by 5th class teacher Eve. Eve will help students build confidence in Maths with fun games, card games, drills and in-class competitions.
MIXED SPORTS (1st - 6th)
Mixed Sports is run by teachers Paudie (3rd class) and Niamh (2nd class). The class will focus on specific sports in 3-4 weeks increments which may include, rounders, handball, basketball, rugby, etc.
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)
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
New this year is Musical Theatre taught by teacher Kate Canavan. She will teach skills based on musical theatre, which will include a mix of singing, dancing, and drama.
SCIENCE CLUB
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)
Soccer is led by teachers Paudie (3rd class) and Ciarán (1st 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 - 3rd)
Spanish is taught by Senior Infant teacher Clara. This Spanish class will teach elements of the language and culture through activities, games, song, and dance.
UKULELE LESSONS (3rd - 6th)
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 only, but children are welcome to bring their own.
YOGA (Infants - 6th)
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