How can we help students see the connections between well-being and performance?
At Bogaerts International School North Campus, we believe that Physical and Health Education (PHE) is about more than just developing athletic skills—it's about understanding how physical, mental, and social well-being are interconnected.
Recently, our Middle and High School students explored this connection through the powerful case study of Simone Biles, one of the most decorated gymnasts in history. Her journey, highlighted in the Netflix documentary Simone Biles: Rising, provided an authentic and relatable lens for students to analyze well-being beyond sport.
From Case Study to Critical Thinking
To deepen understanding, students engaged in concept-based learning activities designed to reveal how different aspects of well-being influence each other.
The task was simple yet thought-provoking:
Bringing the Learning to Life: Padel Practice and Personal Well-being
What truly brought the learning home was connecting these insights to students’ own experiences, specifically, during their ongoing Padel Unit.
Twice a week, students walk 15 minutes to the Garrincha Padel Club, engage in padel practice, and walk back to school. This routine became a perfect case study in itself:
Students quickly realized how their physical activity wasn't just about learning padel skills, it was enhancing their overall well-being, just like in Simone Biles' journey.
Well-being is Holistic: What’s Next?
This learning experience has reminded us all that well-being is not just physical fitness, it’s holistic. It’s about balancing mental resilience, social connections, and physical activity in a way that supports both personal growth and performance.
We’ll continue to explore this connection in future units, ensuring that our students are equipped not just with athletic skills but with the tools to thrive in life.
March 3, 2025
Roberto Duro
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