On the 26th of January, SEK Qatar celebrated the annual MYP Sports’ Day. The students competed in 8 different events, each one challenging the skills they developed in the Athletics unit. The stations included Shot put, Javelin, Vortex Throw, Broad Jump, Long Jump, Vertical Leap, 100m Sprint, and 1Km Run. The students demonstrated enthusiasm for the day, where they cheered for their classmates, and gave everything a go. Thanks to the excellent work of the Radio Stations, the students had music, and house point updates throughout the day. The celebration concluded with a Tug of War challenge, where the victorious Scorpions even managed to overthrow the teachers’ team. However, after calculating all the events’ points, the Oryx team were the overall winners, closely followed by Stingrays. Well done to all of those who participated on the day, and to the teachers’ collaboration, and parents who supported the event.

The Physical Education team would like to welcome all to the Academic Year 2016-2017. Ms. Dalila Rodrigues is now joined by Mr. Jack Hatch, and Ms. Jessie Anderson. We would like to wish all a wonderful academic year.

Sunday, 13th of March, Portuguese Futsal coach Tiago Polido led the MYP Grade 7’s Physical and Health Education lesson together with Ms. Paula Rego and Mr. Eduardo Cary. The focus of the lesson was on coaching technical and tactical aspects of the sport. Grade 6 pupils had a chance to practice the exercises led by Tiago Polido.

The following day, Monday 14th of March, Tiago Polido led another lesson with MYP Grade 6’s.

The Portuguese coach has previously worked in clubs in Portugal, Galicia (Spain), Croacia, and Italy, winning several national competitions throughout his career. Tiago Polido is currently Qatar National Futsal Manager.

The Physical Education team would like to thank national futsal manager Tiago Polido for his availability and collaboration.

Monday, 7th of March, Basketball coach Eric Gardow led the MYP Grade 6’s Physical and Health Education lesson together with Ms. Paula Rego and Mr. Eduardo Cary. The focus of the lesson was on coaching technical and tactical aspects of the sport. Grade 6 pupils had a chance to practice the exercises led by Eric Gardow.

For more information on coach Eric Gardow visit his personal website: www.ericgardow.com The P.E. team would like to thank his collaboration.

Monday, 22nd of February, a group of six Futsal professionals from Portugal, Brazil and Qatar working at Al-Sadd Club led the MYP Grade 8’s Physical and Health Education lesson together with Ms. Paula Rego and Mr. Eduardo Cary. The focus of the lesson was on the coaches’ roles, and the key aspects of the job, such as keeping a track record of players’ statistics, and coaching technical and tactical aspects of a sport. Grade 8 pupils had a chance to experience playing with the invited professional Futsal coaches and players, working through technical and tactical exercises of Futsal (formerly known as Futebol de Salão).

The P.E. team would like to thank the collaboration of Al-Sadd Club, coaches Nuno Lázaro and João Leite, and players Rafael Silva, Mohamed Bashir, Abdulla, and Adnan who travelled to SEK Qatar in West Bay, Doha.

This academic year, the Physical Education team organised two days of Sports’ Day. On Tuesday 26th of January, the events started with Grade 5 pupils leading great activities for the Pre-school 3 and Pre-school 4 classes. The event was organised by Grade 5’s, as part of their U.o.I. on Event Organisation.

Pre-school 5, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, and Grade 4 classes participated on their own event later on the same day. Despite the chilly wind conditions, pupils participated competitively for their house teams. Results showed a good share of victories.

Sports’ Day would not be possible to run without the help of every class teacher, and teaching assistants who were involved. For which, again, the P.E. team would like to thank their co-operation during the events.

On Thursday 28th of January, it was time for MYP and Grade 5 students to enjoy their Sports’ Day. Great participation, enjoyment, and cheerfulness was observed from both students and teachers running the events which, had a focus on athletics’ disciplines.

The IPC Athletics World Championships is an event for athletes with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Currently being held at Suheim bin Hamad Stadium, Qatar Sports Club in Doha. This is the 7th Edition of the event which, started in 1994, and SEK Qatar could not miss out on the opportunity as the event is for the first time being organised and hosted by the Qatar Paralympics Committee.

On Thursday, 22nd of October, Ms. Paula Rego, Ms. Warifa Sobh, and Ms. Mariam Noureddine, took Grade 9 and Grade 10 pupils to witness the first events of the Championships. This Sunday 25th, Ms. Paula Rego accompanied Grade 7A and B, and Grade 8A and B. Teachers and pupils had the chance to watch 100m race, Shot Put, Javelin, and Wheelchair racing. As part of their #beyondincredible experience, pupils had a chance to talk to a couple of Italian athletes. Martina Caironi and Guisy Versace answered to some of the pupils questions, who were curious to learn more about their incredible careers.  SEK Qatar pupils were also presented with autographs from Guisy Versace.

Following this great gathering of elite athletics in Doha, the IPC Athletics European Championships 2016 will take place in Grosseto, closely followed by the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro 2016.