So this week will be the week of all weeks with three sports days and class running as normal, with the exception of tuesday. The first sports day was at Lamrox football stadium in Pembroke. We all arrived bright and early to meet the St Joseph's caretaker who had all the equipment in the centre of the pitch. We all had a sheet that displayed our game and what equipment we needed. My game only required hurdles and the aim was to begin with letting the children jump over or crawl under in any which way they wanted, followed by relays. I would often shout out other instructions during the game to ensure they didn't get bored. Everybody had their own station located on different areas of the pitch and we were all discussing how we didn't want to be located infront of the stand as that is where all the parents would be. Sure wouldn't you know I got the worst spot imaginable. Not only did I have to deal with the speakers blaring non stop music, but the all the children shouting and waving at their parents, although I feel I coped very well. The main worry I had coming into the day was the language barrier that may have become apparent. However, this was not a problem as all the children understood English, I just had to speak clearly for them to understand my accent. I also demonstrated each activity and asked the children questions to ensure they understood. The day proved to be a great sucess and was closed by all the children, parents and teachers doing the 'Waka Waka'. Even me and Becca decided to join in, which I was quite proud of as dancing isn't my best trait and I certainly wouldn't have done this back home.
The second sports day was at the Victor Tedesco stadium in Hamrun, a location Matthew and I are very used to from our football matches. As this was my sports day I felt the need to be more active than the last one, so I quckly set up my station and began to help others with their activities. Keith, Kayleigh and I had previously given all our students a sheet that informed them what they were doing, their station number and who they would be working with. We also ensured that everyone had a helper, which was a parent of one of the children involved. After all our planning and organising, all the children began arriving and there were loads of them! All the children were split into different colours and moved from station to station accordingly. My game was called 'The Grid'. The aim was to make your way through the grid according to the sequence I had on my paper. This was a game I proposed to be included and I thought was fitting as it highlights the children's need to work as a team (as they have to go in two's and remember the sequence), which fitted the theme of our sport's day: co-operation. Again this sport's say was very successful and am pleased to say we encountered no difficulties. One thing that Becca, Matthew and I noticed was that despite having helpers, it was us who done all the work, which I seen as a plus, as it helps us go outside our comfort zone, I feel all three of us were doing a great job.
This meant us dressing up in colourful t-shirts and painting our faces in all sorts of colours. This really made the day more enjoyable for us and the children, making some funny pictures with our class mates.
In this sports day, it was inside the school and we had alot less room than normal, which I thought would be a problem but in the end turned out just fine. This time my game consisted of just cones and the aim was that one team would turn them upside down, while the other team do the opposite. I thought that this game may become too repetitive for the children however they seemed to really enjoy it. During the day, one of our students had to leave for a sports game. This left one station free and nobody was aware. I noticed this during my break as there was a group of children standing at the station doing nothing. I ran over (with no idea of what the game was supposed to be) and started playing random games with the basketballs at the station. I really felt this showed how much my confidence had grown since coming to Malta as I was able to make fun games for the children on the spot. I also got a big thank you from one of the student organisers who would have been quite embarassed had I not took the session.
All in all this week has been very tiring but very benificial and worthwhile. I hope that the final sports day next week runs as smoothly, but until then I think a weekend of resting is on the cards.
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