From the Head of PE and Sport 20.11.2021
Get up and MOVE – Mount Kinabalu Challenge
Word on the street is that the Parents were not happy with their initial placing on the table last week and as a result the call to battle was being sounded on Whatsapp groups around KIS!
I’m not sure what the motivation or incentives being offered are, but it seems to have done the trick as the parents have made a big move over the past week and it’s now a very close competition as both the Staff and Parents hone in on the goal of reaching the top of Mount Kinabalu. I suspect we will see one of, if not both of those teams reach Low’s Peak over the weekend!
Given the intensity of the competition, I think it’s only right that we extend the challenge and go for something even bigger. So, I am now ‘moving the goalposts’ so to speak, and setting a new target for teams. That is, can any team manage to reach the top of the tallest Mountain in the world – Everest!!
Everest stands at more than twice the height of Mount Kinabalu at 8849m above sea level. I am going to set the date for the finish of the competition at midnight on Sunday 5th December. Now, seeing as how we have almost managed to reach the top of Mount Kinabalu in just 2 weeks, I think this will be a good aspirational target for us all to work towards.
I have warned the Staff already that with students returning to school next week, there are going to be a lot of parents wondering how to fill the void of not managing online learning at home anymore, and to therefore expect a big push forward from the Parent team. Come on Staff and Students don’t let the parents win again!
Well done to everyone who has taken part in the challenge so far and supported their teams. It’s fantastic to see the KIS community show how much they value looking after their health and well-being. Keep the photos and videos coming, it’s great to see them and we can then use these to put together a wonderful movie montage at the end when we will crown the 2021 winners of the Get up and MOVE challenge.
Come on KIS!
Return to school PE Arrangements
With the exciting news that we are welcoming back students in Primary from Years 1-6 and KS3 in secondary from Monday, I am enclosing here some important reminders about the specifics for the SOP in PE lessons and uniform policy to help with your planning for the child’s return.
Primary
Students in Primary are required to wear the white school PE shirt together with their coloured House shorts and should also have their KIS school hat for outside lessons (please make sure your child’s name is written clearly inside to prevent mixups) and of course a water bottle with them at all times.
As in the past, students will wear their PE uniform to school on days that they have PE and will remain in their PE uniform for the whole day. See the timetable below.
Secondary
As outlined in a previous newsletter prior to Key Stage 4 and 5’s return to school, we will continue to follow a modified uniform policy to assist with managing students changing during the school day. The aim is to minimise the potential for students congregating in the bathrooms before and after lessons.
Please read the table below carefully that outlines the uniform requirements for each year group on their PE days.
It is highly recommended that students make sure they bring antiperspirant deodorant with them to apply prior to lessons to reinforce good hygiene practices.
PE lessons in both EYFS and KS4 and KS5 have been running smoothly and safely since students returned, and we will continue to ensure that we take all necessary precautions and adhere to the school’s SOP to prioritise students’ safety whilst taking part in PE lessons. This will include making sure that students maintain physical distancing during lessons and regular sanitization and cleaning of equipment between classes. Please also note that students will be asked to remove masks whilst participating in any physical activities, but these can be worn during periods of rest or during instruction delivery.
We appreciate that many students may have grown over the past several months since being in school, and therefore may be in need of new uniform items. If your child has outgrown their PE uniform, please make sure that they still have appropriate sports attire as an alternative for lessons and ensure that a new uniform is purchased from the KIS Uniform Shop at the earliest opportunity.
If you have any questions about the SOP for PE lessons or are unsure about the uniform information above, then please do not hesitate to contact me at cwatt@kis.edu.my
Miss Catriona Watt
Head of PE and Sport
