Message from the Head of Junior School

Professor Lea Waters, author of The Strength Switch, who I will talk about a lot this term in my Newsletter articles, stresses the importance of regular exercise. Waters talks about the importance of exercise from a wellbeing perspective and how it helps us to feel good. We feel good because of the release of chemicals in our body which help to reduce stress and anxiety, lift our mood and motivate us. Exercise also helps us to sleep better. Regular physical activity is so important for young people in particular, as they grow and develop. 

Over the last few weeks, I have had the privilege of watching some of our gymnastics lessons. Our children delight in this programme and have a wonderful time. I was, however, completely shocked at the lack of physical strength in our children, in particular their core strength. Core strength helps children to sit and stand and without it students will struggle with their gross and fine motor skills: sitting on the floor without assistance, running, jumping, handwriting, typing, cutting and so on. 

Core strength can so easily be gained from having active children. Increasing strength in children is not about doing sit ups and push ups, rather children participating in activities which use their whole body. A visit to the park, climbing frames, monkey bars, flying fox, balancing activities, bike jumps – each of these builds core strength, but not just once, regularly. So does bike rides, scootering, walking the dog and participating in organised sport. The benefits of these activities far outweigh the hassle that it might be at the time, to watch your child at the park or skate park for half an hour.

If you lack core strength, imagine the concentration it takes to sit comfortably. Imagine if you could use that concentration in your learning instead of trying to sit up. Learning would be so much easier!

Test these few things out at home: 

1. Hopping in a straight line on one foot and swapping to the other foot without stopping. Can your child do this without going off balance and using their other foot to stabilise?
2. From a plank position, can your child roll over 3-4 times over with only their hands and feet touching the ground
3. Can your child jump up on an object greater than 30cm high, with two feet and land on their feet?

At school, we’ve raised the bar and are incorporating our Gymnastics skills into Brain Breaks throughout the day to help promote core strength. Perhaps this is something you can do at home? Infants is currently participating in Gymnastics this term and Primary will carry out their lessons next term. No doubt Primary students will remember activities from last year or can show you class activities they’ve been doing. 

Exercise gives us energy, think of the buzz felt after a run. Children get this too. If your children are flat and tired when they come home from school. Give them a lift, by sending them out to the trampoline, or go for a bike ride. Set family challenges between ad breaks or strive for daily improvement. 

Keep it simple, make it a daily habit and do it together. Enjoy the bonding time.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

I am delighted with the results of our Cross Country runners, each child represented our school so well and ran their very best. Calrossy has 11 runners going to the CIS Carnival representing HRIS. A huge effort!

I look forward to accompanying Year 5 to Milson Island next week for their annual camp. No doubt we will be creating wonderful memories as we explore the outdoors and continue our learning beyond the classroom. 

Claire Dalziel 

Head of Junior School