Ready, steady, HU-GO!
PUPIL GETS CLASSMATES RACING TO LESSONS IN MONDAY MORNING FITNESS DRIVE
A SCHOOLBOY’S idea to get his classmates racing to their lessons at the start of each week has proved so popular that even parents have asked to take part.
Hugo Hill, 10, a pupil at Derby Grammar School in Littleover, introduced the Monday Morning Mile as part of his responsibilities as the primary section of the school’s appointed sports prefect.
All primary pupils are invited to turn up in all weathers at 8am, half an hour before lessons begin, each Monday to run 20 laps around the school’s hard-court area – a onemile distance that Hugo carefully measured out in preparation for the activity.
To his delight, more than half of the school, from reception to year six, took part in the first Monday Morning Mile on September 6.
Parents were so impressed with Hugo’s idea and organisational skills that they have since asked the school if they could also don their running shoes alongside the children.
Hugo has also been asked to attend the primary school’s open day on Saturday to show prospective parents how children are encouraged to take an active role in the running of the school.
He said: “I’m really happy it’s been so popular. Some of the boys promised they would come, but it was great when more turned up than I expected.
“I wanted to help people get healthy and have fun running. I really enjoyed running with the little ones and helping them get round.”
Sports mad Hugo, who also enjoys hockey, tennis, rugby, climbing and walking, completed his first Monday Morning Mile despite acting as organiser and supporting pupils as young as four years old around the course.
Meanwhile, five of his classmates completed 40 laps – two miles – in the allocated time before the school bell rang, and Hugo suspects his idea may give rise to some healthy competition among his peers.
He has also roped in some help from his mum, Becky Hill, the school’s Forest School teacher, who is more than happy to turn up early to work every Monday to support her son.
“I’m very proud of
Hugo,” said Becky. “It was all his idea, and so I left him to it. He’s really taken to his role as sports prefect.
“The aim was to help out the sports teacher and lead by example, which is something the school encourages all pupils to do.”
Elizabeth Scholter, head of Primary at Derby Grammar School, said: “Hugo has really helped our boys start their week with positivity and energy.
“It’s fabulous to see so many smiling faces on a Monday morning, and it really supports the school’s commitment to creating healthy bodies and healthy minds.”
Derby Grammar School’s primary school open day takes place between 10am and 1pm on Saturday.
I really enjoyed running with the little ones and helping them get round.
Hugo Hill