6th Class in Newtown N.S. were excited to take part in the Grow Voice Project. There were seventeen pupils in the class. Newtown N.S. is a mixed gender school in a rural area in North County Galway. raditionally, the school places a strong emphasis on sport and physical health. We enter teams in a variety of extra-curricular sports, (G.A.A., soccer, handball, athletics, basketball etc.). We are lucky to have a forest next door, two astro-turfs, and access to a hall and G.A.A. complex across the road. Physical Education is prioritised in the school and children enjoy lessons based on all strands of the curriculum. Traditionally, a conventional approach has been taken to P.E., whereby teachers carefully plan the lesson and children follow the instructions given (hopefully!). “We normally used to listen to the teacher to find out what things we were doing that day in P.E.” (Étaoín, 6th Class).

This year, we made a special effort to include the opinions and knowledge of the children in our physical education planning. “Our opinion is important because we are the ones doing it” (Ruth, 6th Class). Children had input in planning lessons, and in assessing the learning in order to inform future lessons and activities. Children were also consulted and asked for suggestions as the lessons unfolded.

Students prioritised expectations for P.E. lessons and came up with their own ‘P.E. Contract’. Children established short-term and long-term goals for P.E. Children made modifications to sports games (changing team sizes, pitch layout etc.). Children also designed their own ball games, explained them to the class, allowed time for practice and then honed and improved the games. Some of the games were hugely innovative (also incorporating beanbags and hoops) and the children enjoyed them hugely. The sixth class students used their knowledge and experience to create an orienteering activity for the younger classes. They drew maps and helped to decide on the rules. They also shared their expertise with younger peers when they picked the activities for sports day, and explained the activities to the children when they came to each station. On this day, the students showed a huge capability to improvise and think on their feet (shortening races for younger classes, coming up with a ‘do the limbo’ activity to keep people busy for the last five minutes of a station etc.). They can be very proud of the way in which they took responsibility for their own learning, and for the learning of others. Sixth class reflected on P.E. lessons in the form of exit slips and class discussions.

“Sharing my opinions in P.E. helped me to be happy while exercising” and it “helped my teacher to know what we like to do” (Rachel 6th Class). Without doubt, a renewed focus on student voice contributed to an improvement in learner and teacher experiences. It allowed children to think deeply about their own learning and their insights were both impressive and valuable, “In my opinion, the most important part of P.E. is fun, challenging, inclusive and enjoyable games” (Harry, 6th Class). Thank you to the ‘Grow Voice’ team for organising such a fun and beneficial programme.

(an example of student reflection)