Running with the challenge

WHEN you’re stuck at home during a pandemic, health and fitness is more important than ever.

The Fahan School’s senior sports co-ordinator, Jo BanksSmith, has been singled out by an appreciative student, who says the teacher’s innovative fitness challenges during the coronavirus pandemic have been fantastic for keeping students moving and motivated to learn.

Student Eliza Stoksik, 13, is boarding at the Sandy Bay school from California in the USA.

“I nominate Mrs Jo BanksSmith for providing us with constant fitness challenges over the school holidays and this term,’’ she said in her Mercury’s Top Teachers nomination letter.

“We had a burpee challenge, climb the steps challenge, and running challenges. When our house cross country could not be conducted as usual, she organised courses of different lengths to challenge all of us and keep us active during quarantine, and help us maintain some sort of normal.”

Mrs Banks-Smith said students were missing the chance to participate in team sports, so it was important to find other ways to have fun and keep active.

“One of the biggest things, I think, is healthy body, healthy mind,’’ she said.

“If the girls remain active they’ll feel better about themselves and be more productive.

“It’s great to see them work towards a goal and achieve that goal and pat themselves on the back.’’

A teacher for 20 years, Mrs Banks-Smith attended Fahan as a student, and returned to teach at the school two years ago.

She said it was wonderful to be nominated.

“It’s lovely,’’ she said. “And I feel a bit embarrassed actually, because there are so many teachers at Fahan who do so many wonderful things.

“We’re part of a team.’’