Infectious enthusiasm for health and fitness

Jun 17 2008 By Diane Parkes

MANY of the older children have helped organise activities.

Eleven-year-old Joseph Hawkins is part of a team encouraging younger pupils to get active.

"We have been playing playground games with the reception children," he says.

"Things like clapping and skipping.

"The thing I have liked best though was the drama workshop because they taught us all about healthy eating. They taught us that we need to eat a balanced diet with fats for brain power, protein for strength and vitamins and minerals that do all kinds of different things."

Classmate Nosa Omoigui enjoyed taking part in healthy lunchbox workshops with grandparents even though his own grandparents are far too far away in Nigeria to join in.

"I really liked it as we got to meet everyone's grandparents," he says.

"It was good having them come in and talk with us."

Nosa is also a fan of Wake Up Shake Up.

"We do it for about five minutes every day just before lessons. It is usually in the playground unless it rains," he says. "We do a different routine each term but it doesn't take long to learn it. It is good as it makes us healthy and builds up stamina."

And Joseph Bleasdale, 11, is in agreement.

"I like Wake Up Shake Up because it is energetic and it keeps you fit before lessons," he says.

"Everyone is doing it this week because it is Healthy School Week.

"We are also doing mini Olympics with lots of sports like races and long jump. We always do Sports Day but this is a special Sports Day.

"Tennis is my favourite sport but I am all right at long jump."