From the Head of PE and Sport 25.09.2021
We are halfway through the competition and I hope the staff are starting to see some improvements in how they feel as well as the ease in which they can complete some of the tasks. Students in 7K and 9S took part in some mid-program testing this week and it is always a strong motivational force to see positive results come from the work you are putting in. Hopefully, it will spur them on to keep challenging themselves in these final few weeks to make even more progress.
Whilst the main learning focus of the unit is developing students’ understanding of how to improve one’s physical fitness and the benefits that it has for their health and well-being. Students are also developing their ability to communicate effectively through their creation of their videos each week. I am sure you will agree that public speaking or recording oneself speaking are skills that are daunting to many adults, yet alone some of our students. I have certainly been impressed with the improvement in many students’ ability to deliver information clearly and confidently already in just a few lessons.
As well as developing their confidence in public speaking, the creation of the videos provides students with an excellent opportunity to reinforce what they are learning by taking on the role of the expert and becoming more familiar with subject specific vocabulary, such cardiovascular endurance, dynamic stretches or talking about reps and rest time in a workout.
Don’t just take my word for it though. Check out these ‘5 Star YELP reviews’ from some of the staff about how they have found being involved in the KIS Biggest Winner journey so far.
“Receiving my weekly workout slides and videos has been just the motivation I needed to push aside my laptop and marking after work and spend 15-20mins ‘for me’ trying to improve my core fitness. I’ve managed twice during the working week for the last two weeks which is a big improvement for me. I know it is having a benefit even if just to get me off my devices sooner after teaching” – Ms. McNutt
“I am really enjoying the workouts and I am finding that I am already improving my stamina with regards to some of the more difficult exercises. I am eager to get started on the Week 3 Workout!” – Ms. Hitchen
“I have found the weekly workouts sent by the students extremely helpful and they have motivated me to get off the sofa and do some exercise. I particularly appreciate the variety of exercises shown in the students’ demonstrations and the clarity of their instructions. I had no idea there were so many different ways to keep fit!” – Ms. Colley
AIMS Virtual Olympics
In last week’s newsletter, I launched the AIMS Virtual Olympics Event which is open to all students aged 8 and above. There are six easy-to-enter events covering different physical activities and skills, including testing your speed of movement in the ‘Speed bounce’ or ‘Jump Rope’ events. Students can put their hand-eye coordination to the test with the ‘Wall Toss’ event or their ball handling skills with the ‘Figure 8’ challenge, which I am 100% sure some of our keen basketballers would excel at. Or, perhaps those who are wanting to sharpen up their football ball control would be interested in showing off their skill with the ‘Keepie Uppy’ challenge.
Practicing and then entering one, or even MORE of these events could be a great activity for the weekend. To get more information, enter an event or see what the current leaderboard looks like, visit the event website here.
Drop me a message on either Dojo or via email to keep me posted on any entries.
Come on KIS, I know we have what it takes to go HIGHER, FASTER, STRONGER – TOGETHER and challenge in the AIMS Virtual Olympics 2021!
Good Luck!
Miss Catriona Watt
Head of PE and Sport
