Presentation College has introduced brand new bikes to our PE classes to allow all students to develop their cycling skills and confidence. Thanks to Mr Homan for applying for the grant and sourcing the bikes. The bikes were purchased from Coleman Cycles in Carlow, after we applied for a grant from the Carlow Sports Partnership and were successful with the application. Our objective is to use them as a non-competitive recreational activity for our students. The bikes will also be used as part of our TY programme to help students learn about bike maintenance.

This initiative is running in conjunction with the Green Schools Committee and the #andshecycles campaign which endeavours to encourage girls to cycle to school. We are very grateful for the funding from the Local Sports Partnership as well as the great service in supplying the bikes from Coleman Cycles. We would of course be delighted with any donations of bikes to enhance the sixteen we have at present.

We are currently focusing on the Travel Flag in Green Schools. From our Green School surveys, we found that many did not know how to cycle and others had not cycled since Primary school. For the past two years we have been promoting the introduction of cycling to the school curriculum. We are delighted that the PE Department have embraced the idea and are looking forward to seeing our cycle shelter and cycle parking fully used.

Presentation College was one of the schools involved in the pilot #andshecycles Cycling Ambassador Programme last year. The success of the programme has resulted in more schools becoming involved and the programme being rolled out in Scotland. There was also a recent piece highlighting the issues for girls relating to cycling on RTÉ News.

Our three Transition Year cycle ambassadors have organised several cycling afternoons for the Transition Year girls. We are very fortunate with the superb facilities at Presentation College, where cycling can be safely done on the school grounds. Next week Ms Kavanagh and Mr Bailey (both renowned cyclists) plan on bringing a group cycling around Carlow to raise awareness and to survey the local cycle routes.