This year, the PE department has really improved. Last year, the facilities were very limited; old, beaten hockey sticks, deflated footballs and badminton nets full of holes. Now, there are brand new hockey sticks, table tennis tables and nets and shuttlecocks, along with a range of brand new equipment – dumbbells, Pilate’s equipment, and lacrosse gear! I think this investment will make PE lessons a lot more interesting and fun, instead of the same equipment we had lesson after lesson last year. Many students will appreciate this ‘enrichment’, as there’s something for everyone. Whether they enjoy something they’re comfortable with, maybe hockey or netball, or want to try something new like lacrosse.
I asked Megan Hine, aged 15 for her opinion on the new improvements. “I think the new equipment is great because it allows students to take part in a wider range of sports and keep them interested in sports encouraging them to keep active and healthy.”
Surely this shows a positive impact already, after just few months working with the new equipment? Many girls were bored with PE and were reluctant to take part, fed up with the same old same old. But now, with the good quality equipment, many girls have been inspired to try something new. The Kirkbie Kendal PE department are also looking into gym memberships, so students can visit the gym whenever they want at, hopefully, a discount cost. This would be another bonus. If the students enjoy it, they are much more likely to go out of school, as well as in PE lessons.
In my class, last year, I think many preferred to mess about and cause trouble than actually take part in the lesson. This year, however, these girls are much more involved, happy to give everything a go, albeit not very seriously.
The equipment encourages the students to give different things a go, see what they like and what’s not for them. It also helps to get students fit and healthy; if they enjoy a particular activity, they’ll put more effort in.
Molly Boothroyd, a GCSE PE student, thinks “It’s fun and so it helps us enjoy PE! It’s also good for the student’s health wise!”
Jade Fancourt, also a GCSE PE student, says 'all the new equipment will really benefit students, as it encourages us to get involved!'
Jade Fancourt, also a GCSE PE student, says 'all the new equipment will really benefit students, as it encourages us to get involved!'
Overall, I think this a great opportunity for all the PE students, and should definitely take it. I think it’s also important not to take this equipment for granted, as many schools aren’t as lucky as Kirkbie Kendal is to have all this equipment. I am worried some people will abuse the equipment, and damage it. If this happens, it will be a real shame, so I hope students take care and have pride in the new apparatus. It may sound silly, but we definitely are lucky to have this new luxury!
