Classical Ballet
Children enrolled in ballet classes prepare for end of year Royal Academy of Dance ballet examinations and dance shows under the guidance of our qualified, experienced, Royal Academy Teacher
Drama & Performance
Weekly drama classes are eagerly awaited by the children and form an important part of every child’s school experience; promoting self-confidence and team work as they work on plays and performance skills.
All children participate in our annual school musical in a Dublin theater where skills, including stage management, sound, lighting and many more, are introduced.
Mandarin
Weekly lessons with a native speaker in the Mandarin language and calligraphy classes for the preparatory school senior class.
We also celebrate Chinese New Year as a whole school with a feast and day of Chinese culture led by the senior class students.
Educational Outings
All pupils benefit from many educational outings to places of local interest throughout the year. We are graced with a wealth of neighbourhood museums, galleries, historical places and parks on our doorstep.
Children in the preparatory school also visit exhibitions, fairs and other Montessori schools to engage in the wider community. Our school tour for both pre and prep school groups are a highlight of the year.
Sport & Movement
At Hedley Park we recognise
the importance sport plays in a child’s development. Children from
Senior Infants and up are actively encouraged to partake in our weekly
sports programme which is held at a nearby, all-weather facility
throughout the year. Younger classes are involved in a weekly gym class
which promotes co-ordination, balance and movement skills.
Children of all ages participate in our yearly sports’ day with parents and families welcome to join in the fun.
All the children enjoy daily park visits, when they are encouraged to play and be active
together.
Tennis
The summer term sees the return of our tennis lessons in a local tennis club. Tennis is a wonderful sport for grace, balance, courtesy and sportsmanship and the children look forward immensely to the lessons and the end of term championship.
Forest School
Senior Class students participate in Forest School, over 2 six week modules in Autumn and Spring. We spend the entire school day outside at Phoenix Forest School in the Phoenix Park.
Forest Schools have developed from the Scandinavian education system. It is about children building self-esteem and independence through experiencing the natural world. Research indicates that children who spend time in the natural environment undertake more diverse, creative and imaginative learning. All topics covered over the ten weeks will be closely tied in with our class cultural curriculum
Circus School
The circus school takes place over 2 ten week modules in Autumn and Spring. Students from 4-11 will have the opportunity to learn circus skills whilst developing personally and socially and having fun.
The benefits of circus skills are broad ranging and long lasting and include increased hand-eye coordination, balance, body and special awareness, increased focus and attention, personal and social capacity, imagination, creative expression and more, all within a non-competitive atmosphere.
Chess
The senior class have weekly chess classes with their chess master.
Chess is a fantastic hobby, which encourages strategic thinking, patience, consistency, planning and concentration. The class compete in an end of term competition against other young chess fans from across the counrty.
We are lucky to be able to play chess indoors on our collection of full size sets, outdoors on our giant chess board and virtually on our Macbook Air and SmartScreen in class.
Cookery School
Our newest extra-curricular class is Cookery School for senior class students. A five-week course in a purpose-built demonstration kitchen specifically designed for children.
Trained instructors guide the children through the creation of healthy meals, snacks and drinks. Teaching them kitchen basics, safety, nutrition and teamwork to create tasty food to share at the end of each class.
If you want to see more, have a look at our videos on the media page.
Yoga & Mindfulness
Yoga and mindfulness are both enjoyed in specific instructor led classes throughout the year and on an ongoing basis by the children throughout the week, outdoors and in class.
Teaching your child to slow down and listen to their body is essential in healthy development, the concentration and self-mastery involved in yoga and mindfulness will last a lifetime.
Karate
Weekly Karate classes where the children learn self disicpline, confidence in movements, gross motor skills and can progress through exams to get certification in each belt progression.
It is a very popular class with both boys and girls and something we all look forward to.