Extracurricular Offering is Just as Vital as Academics
September 26, 2019
We believe that co-curricular activities are just as important as what happens in the classroom. Here’s why.
As an English medium school that provides education from a full-day creche
all the way up to primary and high school level, we’re firmly focused on our extracurricular offering. We’ve seen first-hand the immense benefits that come with each pupil balancing both academics
and activities. Although many private schools in Gaborone offer such after-school curriculars, not all of them are created to bring out the best in your child.
At Gaborone International School, our enhanced curriculum
and extracurricular offering results in pupils who are ready to compete at an international standard (IGCSE) and take on the world with total confidence.
6 Reasons Why We’re Passionate About Helping Every Child Embrace Co-Curriculars
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Their academic performance will improve
Several studies have shown that pupils who partake in extra curriculars experience better results. This can be attributed to the skills they gain through these activities. Although a skill like time management is useful for certain sports, it is certainly most useful when applied in everyday life. This is something that has the potential to make a positive impact on the future when it comes to a thriving school and vocational career.
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Time management becomes an easier feat
Whilst we’re on the subject of time management, pupils must learn to balance their academics with their chosen curriculars. By learning how to make time for each aspect, they’ll be able to master the skill early on in life. This will teach them how to make the most of any free time available to them. Often, children who can manage their time are also far less likely to procrastinate when it comes to their studies. -
They understand commitment
This is one of the most important elements that come with extra curriculars. In understanding what commitment is and how they can show their commitment, they will be less likely to abandon their team or activity. This is another asset to any pupil’s skillset as it’s something that is exceptionally useful throughout life.
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New friends can be made
Many pupils form bonds with those in the same class as them but the friends made through after-school activities can have a positive impact too. For starters, they get to interact with people who have a similar common interest as them. They also get to learn about different points of view. This shapes the decision making of every pupil because they’re able to consider things from another perspective. -
They can enjoy increased opportunities
For older pupils, these extra curriculars have the potential to improve the likelihood of getting into their chosen universities. This is because tertiary institutions can tell a lot about a pupil’s potential by how balanced and well-rounded their interests are. If your child is good at a particular activity, this might lead to a scholarship or perhaps even a career in their chosen discipline. -
Giving every pupil a place to succeed
Our private school in Botswana delivers education for a successful and bright future.
To read more insightful blogs from our teachers and educational experts, click here
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To find out more about Gaborone International School and the work we do, click here
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Why Consistency Between Home and School Matters Most
Every Student learns differently! Think about it like this; In the real world, we customize our coffee orders, hairstyles, our music playlists, and occasionally take our own clothes to the tailor to get a perfect fit in line with our our tastes. All this is done to provide the best customer service as well as for the customer to cherish it. So, why should our children’s educational journeys be treated differently? From time immemorial until now, the education system has evolved drastically from the former traditional teaching where the teacher was ‘ Mr. I know it All , where learners were just like passive passengers on an intellectual train to the current modern approach known as Personalized Learning. When put together, Personalized Learning’ means teachers provide targeted learning towards each student’s unique learning needs, interests, learning styles and modify their experiences. Personalized Learning ensures every lesson is resourceful, relevant and engaging with all students, which helps them grasp concepts taught more effectively leaving them with a touch of confidence in themselves. How Do Personalized Learning Approaches Support Different Learning Styles and Learner Progress? As educators at Gaborone International School, we understand that learning how our learners process information is not just beneficial to them, but it is a crucial part of our work to become excellent at our jobs and in ensuring every student succeeds in their academic journey. At GIS, we adopt these fou r famous and common learning styles for our learners: 1. Visual Learners These are learners who understand and remember things best when they see them. Thus, as teachers at GIS, we make use of PowerPoint Presentations, use information in diagrammatic form, images/pictures and videos while teaching our students. Our growing innovative techniques with digital equipment; for example, making use of projectors and iPads with learners has proven very helpful to these specific learners. 2. Auditory Learners : These learn best by hearing information and they remember spoken words. For these students, we make use of assigning group tasks to certain subtopics in a topic/question and once a set time is over, we push for students to teach it /explain it to the whole class (peer teaching). Additionally, rather than the teacher delivering all the information, learners are given a chance to collaborate with each other, and this makes them retain concepts taught easily. 3. Kinesthetic Learners: These learners enjoy hands-on activities, they learn quicker by doing & moving or changing seating positions. DIY Ferris Wheels by Std 3 Learners during a Robotics lesson As teachers, we try to make this possible as they engage in different specialist subjects. For example, However, we can make these learners get involved as we take them to the labs, Music, Art, PE and making use of buildings blocks/models. This way, learners can 10 channel their energy productively without disrupting their concentration span. 4. Reading /Writing Learners: These are learners who understand better when they read and write things down. This one is a classic traditional style where students write notes during class, read out loud what is on the board, and they love reading articles. In the Lower Primary school, particularly Standard 1 to 3, our Guided Readers program takes care of such learners. By adding all these techniques to how we teach learners, it has helped us to answer a lot of questions our parents had and remove anxieties as they drop off their children at school each day. This makes them confident that their children are treated as individuals with unique talents and goals and are given room to thrive in a system that values them more and allows self-advocacy and the best to come out of them.
A message from the Deputy Principal: Hillary Siandula
