Chatsworth Primary Sports Day

In the PYP Personal, Social and Physical Education Scope and Sequence document published by the IB, it states that, “Physical education in a PYP school should be more than just student participation in sports and games. Its purpose should be to develop a combination of transferable skills promoting physical, intellectual, emotional and social development; to encourage present and future choices that contribute to long-term healthy living; and to understand the cultural significance of physical activities for individuals and communities. Therefore, in the PYP, there should be specific opportunities for learning about movement and through movement in a range of contexts.”

Our Primary Physical Education (PE) teachers, Mr. Mat Jones and Ms. Jeanette Brennan, understand and implement these ideas when working with students. The Primary Sports Days and the teaching and learning leading up to them are just one example of how the teachers develop skills during class while later providing opportunities for the students to practice and showcase these skills in authentic settings. An important component in the development of these skills is the attention drawn to the proper technique in how the students perform individual tasks.

The sports day event also allows the students to work collaboratively in groups to compete against their peers. The students learn to support each other by cheering each other on, whether in the same House Group or not, providing motivation for each to do their very best. Sportsmanship among the students is always a highlight for me as the children genuinely want their peers to perform to the best of their ability.

I would like to thank Mr. Jones and Ms. Brennan for their effort in preparing their students and for their phenomenal organization of this week’s sports days. I would also like to thank the classroom teachers, PE staff and the parents for their support.

On another note, I would like to ask for support with student supervision after school. As a school, we are ecstatic that the students want to remain here on campus; it provides a real community feel to our school. However, once the students are dismissed from their last classrooms at 3:30, the teachers cannot be responsible for the their wellbeing except those children in ECA or CCA events.

We are asking that for those parents / guardians who decide to remain at school after 3:30 that you are vigilant with student safety. The children should be playing in the playground or in the 4-square areas. Parents and guardians should have the child in their view at all times.

At Chatsworth, we want all of our students to be safe. We appreciate your support with this endeavor.