Letterkenny Educate Together National School (LETNS) launched their new Operation Transformation programme, to start in the new year and with a focus on a happy, healthy lifestyle.
The Operation Transformation programme is being run under the motto ‘healthy, happy, learn’.
Pictures by Geraldine Diver
“It’s a six week initiative that we hope will build healthy habits to last a lifetime,” says Nakita Burke, the fifth class teacher in the school who won National Novice Cross-Country Championships on Sunday in Waterford.
“Our teaching and learning over the six weeks will focus on exercise, nutrition, well-being, fun, teamwork and mental health.”
Donegal captain Michael Murphy is supporting the venture and his shop, Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure are also getting on board.
“It’s a brilliant, super idea,” Murphy said.
“We are going to run it too and we have four people in Letterkenny taking part, giving them an opportunity to transform their lives through well-being. We are encouraging the public to come in and take part too.
Letterkenny chef Martin Anderson, Dunfanaghy woman Amanda Witherow, Glenswilly native Aisling McDaid and Letterkenny man Benny Sweeney will be taking part.
During the six-week programme, pupils in LETNS will learn the values of exercise, nutrition, team work, well being and fun, while Declan Gallagher from the Donegal Physiotheraphy and Performance Centre is also in behind the programme.
“The children will be assigned active homework,” said school principal, Áine Fabisiak, “and we hope it will be something that whole families can get involved in.
“We know that happy, healthy students learn better and we’re making that our main focus as we step into the new year.
“We’re really delighted to have Michael Murphy and the Donegal Sports Partnership supporting us and we have no doubt that we’ll see the spread of the happy, healthy bug across the whole community.”
The programme was officially launched today by the LETNS Sports Council, which is made up of pupils from senior infants to sixth class.