Does it Smell like School Spirit?

Learning Outcome #5: Reflect on how the school structure (extra-curricular activities) impact student learning.

What activities do you do to garner school spirit?

Intermediate Boys 100 metre dash.

A song I use sing to my pre-school kids, would be the following: “The more we get together, together, together. The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.” Though it may seem quite rudimentary, some people tend to forget the importance of inter-relations and the benefits of strong bonds with peers and colleagues. Studies have shown that school spirit and the involvement of students, faculty and other stakeholders promotes a healthy community culture and a great sense of school pride. Today was the track and field tryouts (Paterson, 2018). And school pride was well demonstrated in the sport activities that were organized last week.

Intermediate Girls 100 metre dash.

The student body spent three quarters of their day outside participating in long jump, the 100-200 metre dash, shot put, and javelin. Each grade rotated through the activities, and coaches assessed each students’ skill. Based on their skills they were asked to try out for the track and field team.

School spirit is an excellent way for students to support one another regardless of race, socio-economic status, cultural or political beliefs. Being a part of a school is the common thread that gives them that sense of solidarity. When students come together, each of them feels valued.

Reflecting on my day, I think it’s important for students to get outside and interact with other outside of their own class. A change of scenery gives them a fresh look at school and changes their experience from the everyday.

I also think it’s important that students should be involved in the planning of school activities. After all, as participants, they will know what sort of activities they would enjoy. According to the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the involvement of students' input encourages more involvement in community events - this includes parents and other stakeholders.

Lastly, I think it’s important to conduct more school activities throughout the year. Though it takes students out of the traditional learning environment (known as the classroom), they learn so much more about themselves and each other through play.

References:

Paterson, J. (2018). Principal Leadership Issue: Got Spirit? Let's Hear it! https://www.nassp.org/publication/principal-leadership/volume-18-2017-2018/principal-leadership-march-2018/got-spirit/#:~:text=The%20Benefits%20of%20School%20Spirit&text=It%20found%20that%3A,school%20and%20to%20their%20classmates.