February 2017

From Mr Share: Head of Secondary
Dear parents,
It is a good time to reflect on how sport is important to all areas of the school.
Recent Sports Days and the upcoming FOBISIA meeting being held at GIS are a chance to showcase how
we are very proud we are of the quality and breadth of the provision of sporting activities at GIS. You may
not be aware of the importance of sport to our community and its impact on your child’s development. Staff
at GIS are given regular feedback on results from the PE department and the coaches come from all areas
of our faculties. We publish our results to all students and we rightly celebrate our wins, but also recognise
that when we are not winning we analyse what we did well and how we could develop. People often overlook
the benefits of good-quality sport provision at school and do not see how much it complements our
Core Values.
Physical literacy is the act of running, jumping, catching and throwing, of which all Primary school students
are expected to graduate with from Year 6. Research has shown that, at all ages where schools have
good PE provision, SATs results, attendance records and behaviour tend to improve. Young people’s
participation in sport improves their numeracy scores by 8% on average above non-participants. It is well
known that there is the need for exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle, but our sport provision dovetails with
a child’s learning about values and developing attitude.
Pupils are challenged to be independent and constantly practising to improve. Students are provided with
personal targets to achieve personal bests and also have to work collaboratively as part of a team. Our
coaches in PE or in the sports teams ask pupils to reflect and analyse on performance. The physical and
mental challenge of trying an array of sports or competing with peers and in front of crowds, builds character
and helps focus students.
The flourishing nature of our PE lessons, clubs and teams gives students access to a range of opportunities
to perform at many levels. Our sports provision helps build the idea of community amongst students,
staff and parents who come to watch and support. It is great to see so many parents at so many events.
We all appreciate the support and it is a great chance to interact and celebrate a student’s willingness to
compete, improve and succeed. Sport is something students and parents from all cultures should embrace
as part of a child’s development.
Regards
Mr Share
Head of Secondary
headsec@gardenrayong.com