This week I have just started my volunteering placement in Stirling at Raploch Primary School. I am fortunate to have been giving the opportunity to shadow a Physical Education teacher, as this is a possible career path that I would like to follow. Week 1 of my placement involved familiarising myself with the staff, children and facilities in which I would be undertaking at my placement. Firstly, I was welcomed into a primary 1/2 class where all of the children were very excited asking lots of questions such as What’s your name? Is that your gym hall? After I got to know the children, it was time to head to the gym hall in which I observed an external coach delivering a football session. During this I analysed the session to see what was expected when delivering a football session, how the children operate and respond to instructions and what their current skill level was.
From observing the session, I have noticed that the children were trying extremely hard to push themselves showing their eagerness while taking part in physical activity. However, two area’s that I may need to consider when delivering my sessions are time management and managing pupil’s behaviour. To ensure that my session does not go over the allocated timeframe, I will have a structured coaching plan in place that has set times for each drill or game. A potential strategy for managing pupil’s behaviour could be shouting commands that the pupils must follow such as “touch your head”, “touch your shoulders”, “fingers on lips”. For week 2, I have set an aim to be more involved in sessions by assisting the coach whether that being setting out drills, motivating the children or monitoring children’s behaviour. I believe that I have built a strong relationship with my mentor already as she knows that I am reliable and eager to learn and develop my skills.
Overall, this experience was both overwhelming and intimidating as I was introduced to a new environment, met new people and got a feel for what it was like when taking a class. However, I fully relished the opportunity of getting to know the staff and young people that I will be working with and I’m looking forward to working with such an enthusiastic group and can’t wait to help them flourish and enjoy physical activity!
Lauren
What an organised person you are, Lauren! I am so glad to hear that you have already captured what you needed to focus on, time mangement and controlling children’s behaviour. Great! It is also great to learn that you felt that you have developed a good relationship with your mentor which is very crucial. Very well done! -Romie