At St Margaret’s, pupils certainly relish all the opportunities they get to be physically active, and sports days are for everyone and not just for a select few. Our PE department is always keen to introduce different activities as part of our school wide ethos of ‘sport for all’. There are opportunities across all age groups to take part in sessions of yoga, dancing, and ice-skating (to name a few) to encourage wider involvement in sport.
Being given the opportunity to take part in sport and being encouraged to do so is vital for so many reasons. Not only is St Margaret’s focused on addressing historical gender inequalities, but encouraging participation in sport can have far-reaching benefits for young people. We believe that the confidence and skills gained from taking part in sport and activities can be hugely beneficial in so many aspects of life.
Rowing is just one example of the range of activities on offer. During their games time a small group of rowers head to the Aberdeen School’s Rowing Club where they benefit from hands on training from qualified rowing professionals. They learn new skills and techniques while working together as a team and keeping active.
Georgia, one of our senior prefects, recently led an assembly on the benefits of stepping outside of your comfort zone. Georgia challenged herself to do this through rowing, a sport which she had never done before. She spoke about the challenges she overcame and how proud she felt to have grown in skill and strength:
“I definitely don’t think the experience was easy, and it took a long time for rowing to be something that was in my comfort zone, but if I had given up when I didn’t immediately see the benefits I would not have the friends I have today, or a skill which I can take to university to help make friends there.”
If you would like to find out more about sport at St Margaret’s, register for our open morning on Friday, 8th December: www.stmargaretsevents.com