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Physical Education

Our Physical Education and Sport approach across both the Junior and Upper Schools is inclusive of all students and has the fundamental aim of helping students find a sport or physical activity that enriches their lives and enables them to play at the highest level.

The PE Department recognizes and actively promotes the value of Physical Education and Sport in developing character and fostering the wellbeing of all students. 

Students engaged in physical and health education explore a variety of concepts that help foster an awareness of physical development and health perspectives, empowering them to make informed decisions and promoting positive social interaction.

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Early Years

For our youngest students, physical education is approached in a play centred environment where students are exposed to a variety of equipment, movements and areas. Body awareness and confidence development are crucial in these students progress.

Trips

Trips within PE are highly anticipated and give our students many opportunities to practice the ATL's of the curriculum, as well as the skills, learned in PE lessons. Some of the recent trips are included rafting in Lucca, Indoor climbing in Prato, skiing in Cal di Luce and Andalo, inline skating in the Cascine, and the high ropes course in Pratolino.

Competitive Sport

ISF look to take advantage of the community events that are organised such as ‘I più veloci, forte e resistente di Firenze’ which supports the Firenze Maratona and family 2/3km city runs that are organised alongside larger events in Florence. We have a yearly tournament with the International School of Milan where students in Grades 4 and 5 have the opportunity to play twice in the year once at home and once in Milan. We are always looking at opportunities to increase our connection with other schools and give students the opportunity to practice a healthy competitive nature.

 

PE Support

Extra PE support is offered to some students currently in Foundation and Grade 1. These weekly sessions of half an hour support students in their development of gross motor skills and confidence through small groups of no more than 5 students. These sessions are aimed at improving balance, reaction, agility, hand-eye coordination, foot-eye coordination, orientation, rhythm, physical activity and differentiation. 

 

PYP Within PE

The link with PYP units within the classrooms is very natural and most grades link with 1 or 2 units that students are inquiring with their classroom teacher. These activities deepen the understanding of subjects and give students the opportunity to ask questions and take the important role of action.
PE units also follow the central idea question and follow the topics of the units. Students are involved in developing the focus of the unit and what assessment looks like. Peer and self-assessment are used frequently throughout PE lessons.

 

Scope and Sequence

The Scope and Sequence for Physical Education across the Junior school are split into 2 different sections, the younger and older students, this offers students an exciting and varied learning experience that builds on previous years knowledge and skills.

Sports Council

Every year there is an opportunity for students in Grades 2 to 5 to show leadership skills in joining the sports council. Students are in Grades 2 - 5, with a minimum of 2 per grade. To be part of the sports council you are voted in by your peers at the beginning of the year. We meet weekly during snack recess to discuss ideas on how to improve the active opportunities for students at the JS. A variety of leadership skills are regularly used and action is our priority! Communication skills are developed constantly during meetings and when promoting initiatives to the school community. Giving the students an opportunity to have their passions and ideas heard and seeing them come to fruition is our goal!

UPPER SCHOOL

Curriculum

Physical Education lessons focus on both learning about and learning through physical activity. This dimension helps students to develop an important approach to learning (ATL) skills across the curriculum. Physical Education contributes a unique perspective to the development of the attributes of the IB learner profile, promoting the health of individuals and communities. 
Through Physical Education, students  learn to appreciate and respect the ideas of others, and develop effective collaboration and communication skills. International School of Florence Physical Education students  develop knowledge and understanding, plan for performance and reflect on their performance across a range of movement contexts.
Students follow an MYP based curriculum with an assessment focus on learning through movement.

Facilities

Physical Education lessons take place at the nearby Olympus sports complex which enables the students to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding on facilities including a 4G football pitch, covered court, fitness suites and impressive padel courts. 

Student Achievement

There are numerous ways for students to achieve through physical education and as a team we believe in celebrating the successes of our students.  

  • Sportrait profiles of our student athletes.
  • MVP awards - in which students recognise their Peers each trimester for having consistently demonstrated excellence in either Teamwork, Leadership, Fair Play, and Performance.
  • Legend award - in which the PE Team recognise students each trimester for having consistently demonstrated excellence in Teamwork, Leadership, Fair Play, and Performance
  • Presentation of student work - Students who complete assessment to an exceptional standard have their work shared with their peers and displayed on the PE noticeboard

Core Values

As a PE Team, we:

  • Empower students to make healthy choices. and live a long life;
  • Embody Lifelong Learning and commitment to physical activity and joy in movement;
  • Inspire students to  explore the wide range of their abilities, skills, and talents;
  • Provide a wide range of opportunities  for all students to learn and thrive in a positive and safe environment;
  • Recognise, reinforce and develop students understanding  of SEL so they can make it  as a core component of physical activity; 
  • Provide stability and safe harbour for students  in times of challenge.
JUNIOR SCHOOL UPPER SCHOOL 

EARLY YEARS 1 - GRADE 1

MIDDLE SCHOOL (GRADES 6-8)
  • Movement to Music
  • Yoga
  • Motor Skills
  • Tagging and Fleeing Games
  • Simplified Net/Floor Games
  • Simplified Striking and Fielding Games
  • Outdoor Adventure
  
GRADE 2 - GRADE 5 HIGH SCHOOL (GRADES 9-10)
  • Outdoor Adventure
  • Movement to Music
  • Invasion Games
  • Net/Floor Games
  • Striking and Fielding
  • Target Games
  

Field Day

ISF Field Day is one of many highlights on the ISF Athletic calendar. All students from Foundation to Grade 11 participate in a range of fun and competitive challenges; both as an individual and as part of a team with the aim of helping their colour gain as many overall points as possible.

Track and Field events including the 60m/100m, long jump and 800m/1500m are run alongside the traditional events such as three legged races, sack races, obstacle races and wheelbarrow races. This combination of challenges celebrates both participation and athletic prowess.

group soccer photo