PHYSICAL EDUCATION

It has certainly been an unusual year in physical education, with the subject impacted more than most by the restrictions caused by the pandemic. Despite this, we will look back on this year with pride at how adaptable and resilient both staff and pupils have been, with plenty of positive moments emerging from difficult times. Firstly, we were one of the first schools in Qatar to offer practical PE lessons to pupils and it is likely that Sherborne pupils have taken part in more PE than most other youngsters of their age across the country. The restrictions meant that we needed to look at alternative activities to those traditionally taught, and the PE staff were delighted with how pupils engaged with the new variety of activities on offer. Pupils have participated in activities which have developed skill and fitness, allowed them to be mindful and use physical activity for relaxation, as well as attempt to strive for their personal best performances. Using physical activities to develop higher order thinking through problem solving has been another key feature of lessons. When physical lessons were not possible due to all pupils learning from distance, the focus of PE lessons shifted to health and well-being. Many important messages about leading an active and healthy lifestyle were covered in detail during online lessons. These messages cannot have been delivered at a more important time, as the pandemic led to young people spending more time sedentary looking at a screen, and finding it increasingly difficult to be active with the closure of sports facilities and practices. The PE department have spent a good deal of time helping pupils to remain active no matter what space or equipment they have available. The PE magazine, shared with pupils through Teams, has offered dozens of ways to be physically active in a small space. Teachers have enjoyed receiving evidence of pupils taking part or taking on one of our challenges.

It has been a particularly tough year for our examination PE groups at both GCSE and A Level, as they collected evidence of their practical performances in very difficult circumstances. We commend their efforts to do so as effectively as possible.

Looking forward, we are very hopeful that next school year will bring the opportunity for PE lessons to return to some normality and pupils can begin to enjoy interacting with each other through games and enrichment activities.

AlJori Al Kuwari, Year 11