ECAs: Enriching education beyond the classroom
An integral part of St. George´s education, Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs) offer great opportunities for students to discover talents, make friends, and just have a good time. To learn more, we met with Mrs Choo, who has been running the large club programming for 5 years now.
Let's dive into why ECAs matter so much beyond the classroom!
Exploration beyond education
At its essence, ECA is a gateway to exploration and self-discovery. It opens doors to activities that go beyond the conventional curriculum, allowing students to engage in endeavours that spark creativity, critical thinking, and personal growth. Whether it's immersing themselves in the arts, delving into science experiments, or mastering a new language, ECAs provide an avenue for students to uncover hidden talents and interests.
St. George's ECA offerings
Our school takes pride in offering an extensive and ever-evolving range of free-of-charge clubs catering to students of all ages, from Nursery to Year 13. From crafting masterpieces in the Arts & Craft club, flexing brain muscles in the Model United Nations (MUN), or getting zen in yoga, there's something for everyone! Teachers run most clubs, except for a few external ones that offer very specific topics, such as Arabic courses. Our students have unlimited access to clubs and can enjoy a different one every day.
´In the upcoming Spring Term, we have about 120 different clubs. Clubs start when the school finishes at 15:15/15:30 and normally run for an hour with some clubs finishing at 17:00 like our cooking club or basketball clubs. A couple of clubs, the Orchestra Club and Duke of Edinburgh, start at 16:30 and finish at 17:30. We also offer late supervision for our primary pupils until 17:30 from Mondays to Thursdays for parents who are unable to pick up their children after club because of their work and other commitment´, says Mrs Choo.
The dynamic nature of the clubs ensures that students can explore different activities each term, preventing monotony and encouraging continual exploration. ´In the Autumn term, the most popular clubs were our sports clubs, cooking, the primary science clubs and inline skating´, Mrs Choo adds. ´We have to ensure that we adapt to each season and we look to offering more outside sport activities in summer. In the upcoming tern term, we will add new fitness and taekwondo clubs to our club programme.´
Long-term projects like the Duke of Edinburgh and the Go-Kart Club, which run over the school year, provide students with sustained engagement and the opportunity to delve deep into their chosen pursuits.
Building bonds beyond borders
ECAs at St. George's are not just about honing skills; they are a social melting pot where students from different year groups or classrooms come together. This mix fosters an inclusive environment, encouraging students to interact with peers they may not encounter during regular classes. This not only builds friendships but also enhances social skills and a sense of unity within our school community.
´Teachers also have the possibility to be with students they would not usually teach. For example, some Secondary teachers have enjoyed being in clubs with our youngest pupils who are very different to the teenagers they normally teach. This is also a great way for our pupils to get to know new faces.´
Beyond the structured curriculum, clubs serve as experiences that enrich the lives of our students, moulding them into well-rounded individuals. We can´t wait for future concerts of our School Orchestra as well as next Drama Club´s production: A Midsummer Night's Dream!
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Some of the captivating clubs offered at St. George's include choirs, theatre, yoga, storytelling, Lego construction, language clubs (Arabic, Italian, French, Spanish), Model United Nations (MUN), chess, science, sports (football, rugby, volleyball, basketball…), Kangaroo maths competition, inline skating, origami, bouldering, and many, many more!!
