Video transcript A teacher’s perspective on creating an active school environment

In 2017 Shea Coxson was introduced to Play.Sport, which would then become a defining point in Shea’s journey as a teacher.

After his school, Maoribank Primary, signed up to become one of the pilot recipients, Shea received support both in and out of the classroom.

From observations to team teaching, to workshops unpacking physical education and the importance of Hauora and Te Whare Tapa Wha, everything Shea was learning he was also exploring with his kids.

“Any sport that we play – against any other team – at the end of the game, they don’t ask what the score was, they don’t bother the referee. Their sole focus is being humble. That’s naturally who they are. All I’ve done is give them the opportunity to be those people.” says Shea.

Shea’s goal is to create more well-rounded individuals, and physical education is a great vehicle for that. Through his work with Sport NZ’s Play.Sport pilot, he was able to carve out more reflection time and find culturally- and contextually-appropriate frameworks for developing his learners.

The biggest impact he’s seen is in his children’s behaviour – when they respond to stress and frustration with empathy and kindness, or when they’re humble in the face of competition.

“They took the time themselves to become really familiar with our school, and there were no preconceived ideas about what it should look like."