Learn the lessons of fitness at school

Traditionally, the word ‘school’ has most-often been associated with academic outcomes. But as society has adapted over the years, the success of a school and its students is very much based on its holistic approach to teaching.

Where physical education (PE) lessons were once seen as an outlet to offset the more studious subjects like mathematics and science, today, fitness in schools has become just as imperative for a child’s development — both physically and mentally — as any other lesson.

And the impact it has on a student’s ability to adapt to social situations goes far beyond what any mathematics lesson can teach.

Speaking to three different schools in Dubai, Khaleej Times found out that, on average, students here are engaging in about two hours of physical education each week.

So with health experts determining that a minimum of 30 minutes exercise each day can help keep certain health implications at bay, it is encouraging to see that Dubai schools are doing their bit to keep on top of their students’ physical well-being.

For Andrea McKinnon, athletic director/PE teacher at Raha International School, an active student makes for a better student.

“In a school setting, when students get PE classes or are active at breaks/recess, it decreases their

In a school setting, when students get Pe classes or are active at breaks/recess, it decreases their level of distraction in class, and increases selfefficacy and positive social interaction.” Andrea McKinnon, athletic director/ PHE teacher at Raha International School

level of distraction in class, and increases self-efficacy and positive social interaction.”

In her school’s primary setting, students receive two, 40-minute PE lessons each week, not including the daily, one hour of break time.

“And in the secondary setting, students receive two, 70-minute PE lessons a week,” she said.

With about 1,000 spaces available in the school’s extra curricular programme (ECP) for sport-related activities, McKinnon said approximately 50 per cent of its students have taken part in some sort of non-competitive active programme after school hours.

“We have over 40 competitive sports teams that students take part in, and about 25-35 per cent of our student population are part

effort is above all the most important aspect of Pe .... For example, being a ‘risk taker’ and challenging the students to push themselves out of their comfort zones to try new things.” Joanne Hearty, physical education department,Gems Wellington Academy

of a competitive sports team,” McKinnon told Khaleej Times.

At Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) Dubai, students receive 140 minutes of PE per week as part of the normal curriculum.

“We have many official sports teams such as netball and rugby, in addition to numerous non-selected extracurricular sports/activity clubs. I would say about 70 per cent of our pupils participate in extracurricular physical activities,” Carissa Phillips, a school spokesperson, said.

Aside from the obvious physical health benefits of fitness in schools, she said team sports help with “socialisation and social skills”.

“And that is especially important for this generation, where (for some) their social media habits and the sedentary nature of their lifestyles, can lead to loneliness, not to mention weight problems.”

In the past, physical education classes in schools have been known to be daunting for some children who are lacking in confidence.

So how are schools here structuring lessons in a bid to avoid this type of isolation?

Well at JESS, the PE lessons are differentiated for different abilities.

“In the same way that a science or maths class will be ‘set’, a PE lesson will be split according to ability. This ensures that the student will feel comfortable with his/her peers.”

And at Gems Wellington Academy in Al Khail, the same principles apply.

“Effort is above all the most important aspect of PE,” Joanne Hearty from physical education department, told Khaleej Times.

“A key strand of Gems Wellington Academy is the learner profile, which underpins all teaching and learning. For example, being a ‘risk taker’ and challenging the students to push themselves out of their comfort zones to try new things.”

In Term 1 of the current academic year, Hearty said that 84 per cent of students from years 3-10 participated in extra curricular sporting activities. With 320 students signed up to ESM academy programmes (Dubai’s leading sports training academy).

And with all classes from FS1 to Year 10 participating in fitness as part of the curriculum, pupils from Years 1-10 do an average of two hours per week including swimming, and fielding games.

kelly@khaleejtimes.com