GEMS International School students are set to lead the charge in Dubai's fight to get fit as the school prepares to launch their new 'My Health' initiative.
The launch of the program will be hosted at GIS on the 13th of May from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm, where students, parents and the broader GIS community will be invited to participate in various workshops and to visit different stalls. The school will have the honour of receiving Sir Christopher Stone, from GEMS Education, Graziano Mannari (Ex Professional at AC Milan) and Nicolas Ventola (Ex Professional at Inter Milan), who, despite their former club rivalry, will join forces to encourage students to be physically active and set goals for themselves in areas they need improvement.
ECA & Sports Coordinator at GIS, Geraint Passmore, is looking forward to seeing his students embrace the challenge,
"It's the first Health program of its kind in the UAE, so it's very exciting. Every student in the school, starting in Grade 1, will receive an individualized Fitness Plan, with guidelines to improve each one of the fitness components. The kids here are sports mad, so they can't wait to get stuck in, and we're looking forward to the positive results the intitiative brings."
The move follows recent reccommendations made by the UAE's National Health Agenda, which has set its target on the UAE becoming one of the happiest, healthiest countries on the planet.
PYP PE Teacher, Christina Bento, explained more about the programme,
"‘MyHealth’ is a coaching program for every student at GIS. Every change begins with education, and this is what we aim for with ‘My Health’. The program will have 2 phases: ‘MyHealth Kids’, a school initiative and program to support all students; and ‘MyHealth Parents’ a program that will support our parents with their health and wellbeing.
We are aiming to create a healthy community among students, parents, teachers and staff, by promoting different events throughout the year, that will raise awareness to the importance of fitness, nutrition, social and mental wellbeing."
Gulf Youth Sport will be reporting live from the event next week – stay tuned to our social media channels for photos and videos from what is sure to be a fun-filled, action-packed event.