Playing with a Passion
Friday, April 17, 2009
PLMGS pupils having a blast during Recess FreePlay.
"En garde!" In unison, two rows of girls get to their feet, in position, ready to commence a fencing duel in the school hall of Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (PLMGS).
One level down at the school's netball court, another group of pupils on inline skates are laughing as they struggle to stay on their feet, while others manoeuvre turns and spins deftly around them.
Elsewhere, at the bowling alley at Downtown East, other PLMGS pupils are busy aiming to knock down the bowling pins. Yet another group of pupils is at the Mandai Executive Golf Course, intently practising their golf swing.
These pupils might have been scattered all over the place, but they were all taking part in the Paya Lebar Games Fiesta. Held during the week just before the March school holidays, these activities were more than just opportunities for PLMGS pupils to let their hair down at the end of term. The activities also allowed them to be exposed to a variety of learn-to-play courses, and in the process to discover their talents, strengths or preferences.
During the Games Fiesta, pupils got a taste of artistic gymnastics, which is also part of the school's core PE programme.
Play, seriously
The Games Fiesta is part of PLMGS's Paya Lebar Sports Experience, which is guided by two principles: "sports for all" and "sports excellence". As Mrs Tan Lee Huang, the Head of Department for PE and CCA, explains, "'Sports for all' is about sporting opportunities for the masses. For a targeted approach, the 'sports excellence' programme is for those who have the potential to excel. Pupils go through activities such as artistic gymnastics and rope-skipping, where they will be screened for potential."
The school strongly believes that character building should not be developed through chalk and talk, but through games. Mrs Tan adds, "As pupils try out the games, it helps to nurture ruggedness and strength of character. Pupils get to taste failure, cultivate perseverance, build resilience and eventually savour success."
Fencing was one of the Games Fiesta activities that exposed pupils to new skills.
There are two components to the Paya Lebar Sports Experience: a compulsory core programme, carried out during PE lessons, and an elective programme. "The core equips pupils with enough basic skills for them to identify their own niches and develop them in later years," says Mrs Tan. Pupils learn the skills of at least four sports, from gymnastics at the preparatory stage to swimming, dance and aerobics as they progress.
The elective programme, on the other hand, comprises Recess FreePlay, the Games Fiesta and the CCA sports excellence programmes. Recess FreePlay gives pupils access to equipment if they want to spend their recess time engaged in more physical activities. "Play is something to be encouraged as many wonderful lessons are learnt in this informal setting," enthuses Mrs Tan. "After all, friendships are forged and ideas abound through play!"
Pupils are saying an enthusiastic "Yes!" to the in partnership with the schools' instructors. Almost the entire Pri 1 cohort has indicated in a survey that they enjoyed the lessons, have learnt useful skills and hope for more next year.
PLMGS pupils have given their Sports Experience a firm thumbs-up.
A quest for sporting excellence
"Playing" hard also helped PLMGS garner fifth in the Sustained Achievement Award (Sports) and seventh in the Sustained Achievement Award (Fitness) in 2007. To maintain the level of competence in competitions, external instructors are engaged for each sport and pupils are encouraged to pursue additional training with national sports associations. The school also has plans to set up an in-house sports academy in partnership with the schools' instructors, so that outstanding school athletes can receive further training.
What else is in the works for the partnership with the schools' instructors in future? "We'll continue to provide a holistic education for our pupils, catering to the wide range of talents and abilities," assures Mrs Tan. "At the same time, the elective programme will take on a more focused approach for three sports: artistic gymnastics, badminton and rope-skipping. We want to groom pupils with high potential into champions. We'll also continue to target one sport for international sporting excellence."