.png)
Extracurricular Activities
Known at Headfort, as Extras, these are opportunities throughout the school day to advance a passion or develop a skill in an area beyond the classroom. We are renowned as a school that provides every child every opportunity to know success, and in so doing continue to develop our Extras programme in a way that advances this unique offering for our community.
Sports
Horse Riding
Horse riding has always been a huge part of Headfort School. The stables themselves are quite unique, being the original stables from when the house was a private estate. Headfort school is the only school in Ireland where children can bring their ponies to school with them and the ponies are kept onsite. Horse-riding is hugely popular as an extra at the school. Often children who may not be so sporty at field sports excel at horse-riding and it helps build relationships with the other students. It is excellent for improving the children's coordination and core strength. The ponies themselves can also be very soothing to someone just having a bad day, we welcome the children to pop into the stables to have a chat with the ponies whenever they are feeling upset or sad about something. The children are taught basic riding and stable management, we have beautiful grounds to ride in including woods, outdoor arena and a cross country course.
Hockey
At Headfort School, we are very passionate about our extra curriculum. Our girls in particular enjoy playing hockey during games time. The children learn and develop teamwork skills whilst getting active and having fun outdoors. Our dedicated coaches ensure that every player, regardless of ability, feels included and supported as they build confidence on the field. Along the way, they develop key hockey skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, defending, and maintaining proper positioning during play. Through regular practice and friendly matches, the girls not only improve their fitness and coordination but also learn the importance of communication, resilience, and fair play — values that extend well beyond the hockey pitch.
Rugby
Team sports are an integral part of life in Headfort: teaching children teamwork, fair play and responsibility to others. Rugby is one of the major traditional sports for boys during the Christmas and Easter terms. They receive coaching three afternoons a week building towards representing the school in friendly fixtures against other schools. Rugby has enjoyed great success over the despite our small numbers and remains a very popular sport amongst the pupils.
Cricket
Share information on a previous project here to attract new clients. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background of the work.
Football, Basketball & Badminton
Throughout the academic year, Headfort School runs an internal league where pupils compete in friendly yet spirited matches representing their teams. The objectives of these leagues are to practice some values such as teamwork or respect and to develop physical ability and social skills while they are doing sports in a fun and supportive environment.
Athletics
Athletics holds a special place in the sporting life of Headfort. Every year, pupils take part in our amazing Sports Day, where the whole school competes in a friendly rivalry between the two Houses: Bective and Kenlis. Sports Day includes a number of events involving running and jumping - often referred to as track & field, the sport includes single events, such as the 100m or long jump -it is a perfect day to see the Headfort spirit of participation, perseverance and house pride.
Creative Art
Creative Art at our school has a long and proud history of nurturing creativity and self-expression among our students. We prioritise Creative Art because it encourages imagination, problem-solving, and confidence—skills that support learning across all areas of the curriculum. Through painting, drawing, sculpture and mixed media, students learn to
communicate ideas and emotions in meaningful ways. Our young artists also have the opportunity to participate in art competitions (National Museum of Ireland Primary Colouring Competition, AIB Young Portrait Prize, Texaco Art Competition) and collaborative projects, celebrating their achievements and fostering a lifelong appreciation for visual creativity.
Junior Public Speaking
At Headfort School, we place great importance on developing confident and expressive young speakers from the very beginning of their educational journey. Our Junior Public Speaking event, designed for pupils in Junior Infants, Senior Infants, First Form, and Second Form, provides children with a joyful and supportive opportunity to share their voices. In First and Second Form, pupils are given a selection of six poems and invited to choose the one they most connect with—encouraging ownership, independence, and a sense of personal expression. On the day of the event, students recite their chosen poem before their classmates, teachers, parents, and families. This experience nurtures a wide range of essential skills, including confidence, clarity of speech, resilience, memory, and reading fluency. Above all, it fosters a love of language and self-expression, helping our youngest learners take their first exciting steps into the world of public speaking.
Drama
Share information on a previous project here to attract new clients. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background of the work.
Music
Music holds a central and much-celebrated place in the life of Headfort School. It enriches the school day, encourages creativity, and provides a shared space where pupils can express themselves freely. Over the past number of years, I have had the privilege of teaching singing here, working closely with students as they explore their voices, develop technical skill, and discover the joy that music brings. Each lesson is an opportunity to nurture confidence, curiosity, and individuality, and it is inspiring to witness students grow from tentative beginners into assured young performers.
A key milestone in our musical life was the creation of the Senior School Choir in January 2022. Since its formation, the choir has become a highlight of the school’s cultural calendar. It has given students a strong sense of identity and belonging, and has allowed them to experience the shared energy of ensemble singing. Rehearsals foster teamwork and camaraderie, while performances—at school events and beyond—provide moments of pride and celebration for both pupils and the wider school community.
Solo singing continues to play an equally important role within the programme. Standing alone and performing teaches resilience and self-belief; it challenges students to communicate emotion clearly and trust in their own abilities. Through competitions, concerts, and opportunities to hear other young performers, students broaden their musical horizons and gain valuable experience. Beyond the stage, singing enhances emotional well-being, improves focus and discipline, and develops confidence in public speaking—skills that students carry with them for life. In every way, music at Headfort enriches the individual and strengthens the spirit of the school.
Piano Lessons
Share information on a previous project here to attract new clients. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background of the work.
Guitar lessons
Share information on a previous project here to attract new clients. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background of the work.
Singing Lessons
Share information on a previous project here to attract new clients. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background of the work.
More Extras
ICT
Information, communication and technology (ICT) allow the students to develop their digital skills that are important for modern learning and future innovation. Introduced as a specialisation subject to fostering curiosity and creativity, our programme encourages logical thinking or problem-solving. ICT gives the opportunity to the students to explore areas such as coding or design and applying the technology across subjects and in everyday life.
Cinematography
Cinematography at Headfort allows pupils to explore the art and craft of filmmaking. This elective is about more than just learning how to make movies, it’s about learning to see beauty and possibility in the world around us. The students learn to write, film, and edit their own short films and documentaries. Each year, pupils present their projects to national competitions such as the FÍS Festival — with our most recent
Early Years Spanish
Through Spanish, the students develop not only their linguistic ability but also an appreciation of Hispanic culture and traditions -this specialisation subject reflects our commitment to preparing pupils for a globalised world where Spanish is one of the top five most spoken languages in the world. Our pupils enjoy interactive lessons, cultural projects and conversational practice, gaining confidence in real-world communication.