Education
Strong school sports By combining extracurriculars with academics,
“We partner with Team Sport Service Haarlemmer meer to provide after-school sport. Sport is a great way for children to learn lifelong skills and make new friends in a safe environment,” assures Blaxland.
children and teens can benefit from higher self-esteem, be more productive and are likely to succeed at school. This is an essential offering
OIS are part of the DIPS–Dutch International Primary Schools (subsidised by the Dutch government)–which might organise tournaments among international subsidised schools in the future.
from international schools in the Netherlands.
Small but committed
“Being active is an important part of our curriculum, it has a positive impact on the emotional wellbeing of children, giving self-confidence and self-esteem,” states Manon Blaxland, head of PR and Communica tions at Optimist International School (OIS).
Competition builds character
OIS does not have large facilities on school grounds, or a specific athletic programme, so they make great use of their play yard with many games and play activities, utilise a gym hall next to the school and swimming is part of their curriculum.
Competitive and recreational sport “play a key part in developing an ISH student’s potential. All students are welcome to get involved, and only need to be willing to commit to the training and event schedule.” ISH participates in competitions with local and European international schools and the senior teams’ season culminates in an International School Sports Tournament (ISST) against European teams.
The International School of The Hague (ISH), according to Ian Ward, Co-Curricular Sports Director, “offers a pathway for sporting development from Year 7 to Year 13 in a wide range of individual and team sports.”
Partnering with external basketball and hockey clubs in the local area extends ISH students’ oportunities year-round. “We plan to expand our club link programme to include rugby and swimming,” states Ward. Something for every student
PHOTO: PHILIPPA ROSE
BY ABBIE MARSH PUMAREJO
The British School in the Netherlands (BSN) is an inter national school with five campuses in and around The Hague. Tom Archer, Head of Co-Curricular Sports at the Senior School, Voorschoten Campus, notes that they are a founding member of the International Schools Athletics Association (ISAA)–including schools from across Europe and the Middle East– and host tournaments every year. » ACCESS | AUTUMN 2021 | 37
