Week 12 – Team Optimizers
As our pupils descended upon another week of organised work, ‘The Optimizers’ made up of the formidable Mr. Sardi, Mr. Ifrek, Mr. Bamigbola and Mr. Padayachee – didn’t know what to expect from the week ahead. Little did we know that it was going to be very eventful and successful for both teachers and students.
Day 1 – The first session (9:00-10:30) started with registration and online work (SMH). Pupils were extremely engaged in the session where the noise of pin drop could be heard. All students were very involved in their work and grateful for the time given to complete tasks from their subject teachers. After this session, pupils had a well-earned break and then second session began (11:00 – 12:30). This session was all dedicated to “World Ocean Day”. Mr. Ifrek introduced the session with a video of the ‘Blue Planet’ which really got the pupils engrossed on how amazing the ocean creatures are and how they live to survive. Pupils then completed a word search and world map activities based on the ‘Blue Planet’ video. Before we knew it, it was lunch time. We were treated to some delicious food during break and lunch thanks to the wonderful Master Chef Khan. The third session (13:30 – 15:05) was basically sport orientated. Pupils were put through their skills and talent in badminton, football, table tennis and basketball shooting. There was some stiff competition between Mr. Sardi and Sultan – was this going to continue for the rest for the rest for the week? Watch this space! And with that came the end of an eventful and successful Day 1.
Day 2 – After an exciting first day, the pupils were looking forward to what ‘The Optimizers’ had in store for them. If only they knew that each day gets better as it goes by. Session 1 was like how every other session 1 would turn out to be. The concentration level towards their online work was second to none – minimum noise, maximum determination. Before we knew it, break was over and session 2 had begun. After yesterday’s session on the ‘Blue Planet 1’, pupils were given the opportunity to watch ‘Blue Planet 2’ which again had the pupils mesmerised on how different animals use the ocean and land to survive. Pupils were then asked to show of their Art skills to design a poster on how to protect the ocean. Mr. Bamigbola gave the pupils a little introduction on how the ocean is being destroyed and on what their posters should reflect. There was some impressive work from Darja, Teagan, Sophie and Jac – just to name a few (see pics below). To say the pupils were looking forward to lunch would be an understatement – considering all the rumbling tummy noises. Session 3 was again left for the pupils to unwind and release their stress levels in the sports hall. Following on from yesterday, the competition grew even more fierce especially on the badminton court (Mr. Padayachee, Rhiannon, Mr. Sardi and Alfie) and table tennis with Mr. Bamigbola and Brandon. In addition to this, Sophie and Phoebe showed off their netball/basketball shooting skills by competing with Mr. Padayachee and we all know who came out on top for that one – Sophie and Phoebe obviously. Oh, and how could we forget about Julia being the ever-present, stone-wall goalkeeper, even with a dodgy wrist. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and so too was day 2.
Day 3 – By now, ‘The Optimizers’ figured out how every day was going to pan out. Session 1 – online SMH, session 2 – planned activities and session 3 – sports hall. Session 2 had a little twist today where Mr. Sardi introduced a Maths Anagram competition where pupils had to unscramble words/letters to make a mathematical word – and the winners were: 1st – Rhiannon, 2nd – Teagan and 3rd – Freya. In the sports hall, YES, the competition between Mr. Sardi and Sultan continued. Mr. Sardi challenged Sultan do a ‘cross bar challenge’ with, who else but Mr. Sardi, coming out on top with 3 cross bar hits in a row. Sultan eventually found his kicking foot and hit the cross bar in succession as well. Well done Sultan for showing determination to succeed.
Day 4 and Day 5 went very similar to the other 3 days. The pupils were amazing and showed every PROUD attribute. Their behaviour was impeccable and even though ‘The Optimizers’ felt a little hesitant in the beginning, it ended up being a week to remember. Well done to all involved. Special mention goes out to: Mirsad for his continuous assisting with umpiring for badminton and Tameen for his all-round discipline in participation.
