Physical Activity – examples of good practices
Physical Activity – examples of good practices
This section includes stories and examples of practice from schools about some of the benefits that can be gained from reviewing approaches to physical activity. For schools, these benefits include:
- developing a more strategic approach to wellbeing
- shifting mindsets about common school events such as cross-country to ensure the events balanced competition with a focus on inclusion and participation
- including physical activity in approaches to play-based learning
- building approaches to student leadership
- making stronger community connections including with local secondary schools.
Thinking about school community wellbeing and physical activity
The value of physical activity in a school setting may be evident in whether it is visible in documents such as school charters. Schools may have many activities that foster wellbeing – but are these connected in a strategic and cohesive way.
The Sport NZ ‘More than Sport’ podcast episode 3 ‘Creating an active school environment’ unpacks what it looks like to create an active school environment, and what the benefits are of an active school culture.
Story 12 shows how one school had reviewed their vision and the part that physical activity could play in fostering wellbeing.
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Thinking about community wellbeing and physical activity
One school was on a journey to build a more inclusive, culturally responsive, and wellbeing-focused culture. Play.sport and te reo Māori PLD, as well as other focuses all contributed to this journey. The school has worked with staff and the community to develop a new strategic direction and a wellbeing action plan.
Taking the focus away from sport and PE to wellbeing has broadened our understanding of what health means… Our vision is far more strategic and solid… and we are clear about where we want to be in 3 years... Play.sport has opened my mind, giving me the space to ask, ‘Am I actually providing equity?’
(School leader)
The principal noted Play.sport had assisted the school to think deeply about student and family needs and had spurred them to listen more and take action. New consultation processes are part of the mix. Input is sought via a student council, and there is an annual survey of parents as well as more face to face hui and fono and home visits. The school is also making more use of data to suggest new focuses.
Students are a lot more confident about having a voice…. They are more prepared to take an opportunity to have a say knowing they won’t be shut down.
(School leader)
What new activities had been revised or started?
Thinking strategically about physical activity and community wellbeing has led the school to revise, develop, or join a wider range of activities. A few are described below.
- With the local college and other schools in their Kāhui Ako, the school took part in a Matariki celebration. During this time, the college students taught primary students Māori games (see Story 14).
- The school developed more connections to local spaces and places. One aspect of this is a stronger understanding about the history of the local area which is reflecting in pepeha and waiata. A second aspect is the development of an education outside the classroom (EOTC) group that ensures students have more opportunity to learn through visiting local places.
- Following an inquiry by a student about the equipment their peers wanted to play with at school, the PE shed is now a “gear shop” which is run by students at lunchtimes.
- Play-based approaches in the junior school have been reviewed and now incorporate more focus on physical activity as a vehicle for exploration, and as a steppingstone to PE learning.
- Senior students do electives once a week. Many electives have a physical activity component such as Pacific dance or drama. Some electives are supported by parents and whānau which assists the school to build stronger relationships and partnership with whānau.
- Athletics day has been reframed as “participation day” which includes more fun activities for all.
- More use is made of school grounds. A bike track that is now open to other schools during the week, and the community on the weekends, and the school has a gardening team and planting spaces.
- Stronger connections have been made with the local RST who support the school with equipment, physical activity resources, and student leadership programmes that fit with the school vision.
Redesigning active events to make them more participatory
Many schools are starting to question their focus on school events that are all about competition, and consider how by redesigning these events or activities they can make them more about participation, inclusion, and fun. Many schools have reframed cross-country (see Story 13) or athletics days to offer fun opportunities for all to participate, as well as opportunities for those who wanted to compete. Some schools are thinking strategically about how these events could support goals, such as fostering connections with parents or with students’ cultures.
Watch a video about ‘Reimagining School Sport’ and how redesigning inter-school sport can improve participation.
