All Work and no Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy!
Education is a pretty broad concept that surpasses the four walls of a classroom. The core aim of education is to foster the all-round development of a child. To fulfil this aim, there is a need to balance syllabus, curriculum, books and co-curricular activities beyond that.
Enrichment activities are traditionally undertaken alongside the taught curriculum and take place outside a traditional classroom experience. At SJS, these activities have such a high status that they are taught within the curriculum, including Year 7 Opening Minds, Year 8/7º ano enrichment, Year 10/9º ano Outdoor Education Programme (OEP) and electives. An effective enrichment programme allows young people to develop core skills and attributes, such as the Shaper Profile, to challenge their non-academic abilities or even extend their academic abilities and enhance their curriculum work.
Enrichment complements and underpins the taught curriculum by educating students in the art of living and working together - these are skills that are not only valued in the workplace but have been shown to be essential in leading a happy life. They are the true and practical experiences that allow students to enhance their own learning.
A Chinese proverb very aptly states, “Teach me, and I will forget. Show me, and I might remember. Involve me, and I will never forget.” To a very great extent, theoretical knowledge is enhanced when a co-curricular activity related to the content taught is organised. Intellectual development of the personality is achieved, to a great extent, in the classroom itself. But, aesthetic development like character building, spiritual and moral values, physical growth, creativity and many more are backed up by Enrichment activities only. It also develops coordination, adjustment, speech fluency, extempore and debating skills amongst students. It teaches the students to stand up for their rights. Enrichment activities foster and grow these and numerous other values.
Enrichment activities are vital because even though they are not a part of the core curriculum, they play a crucial role in giving young boys and girls the ability to mould their lives into well-rounded people. The school activities have to be designed purposefully to give a mix of student’s academic participation and create a chance for all-round development.
At St. Julian’s School, there is a huge plethora of options that a student can choose from. The number and range of Enrichment activities on offer throughout the school are outstanding, and every student should find one that will hopefully enthuse and inspire them.
The rewards of enrichment activities in schools have been researched well. It is now a certainty that students who participate in these activities show higher academic results, stronger relationships in schools and are more likely to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Students also feel a sense of belonging to the school and have higher self-esteem by participating in structured activities like music, dance, performing arts, etc. In addition, students are motivated, leading to a happier, healthier and more cohesive school.
Enrichment activities should be considered as the seventh period in the school day, equally important as the preceding six, a chance to develop and grow. Good exam grades alone will never be enough to get into the best universities. In fact, the top universities consider the exam grades to be a given; it’s all about what the student achieves outside the classroom and the skills, qualities and enrichment they have gained from these.
What’s your Enrichment activity?
Mr Mark Hooper, Director of Enrichment
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