iKiInsight

iKiFit is empowering and equipping many regional NSW schools.  Below we let the principals of these schools do the talking for us.  It's a privilege to work alongside talented and respected educators, and to know that together we are making a difference.

Anthony O’Leary, Principal St John’s Primary School, Dubbo

I have had the privilege of being involved with the iKiFit program over a number of years. I have found the program to be of the highest quality. The program is unique in that it provides for high quality teacher professional development, amazing dance routines, fitness development and strategies to develop positive behaviour.  The students have been totally engaged with the high-energy music and iKiFit skills.

iKiFit has added to the quality of our school sport programme. iKiFit has provided instructors that are experienced and knowledgeable in their field. Their ability to communicate appropriately and manage our primary aged children has been excellent.

I would recommend the iKiFit program as the premier product that is holistic in its approach to overall fitness and wellness.

Darryl Thompson, Principal Wellington Public School, Wellington

The introduction of iKi at our school has been a significant contributor to improved learning outcomes for all of our students.  As a program it has allow three very important aspects of our school to flourish:

1. Our iKi Crew have been provided with quality leadership training. All have grown personally and their support of younger students in mentor roles has reduced the incidence of poor behaviour by more than 50%.

2. The tenants of the iKiFit program are now integrated into the school's behaviour policy. Each day our students pledge to Be Learners (If you look and listen you will learn), Be Respectful (I'm OK you're OK) and the Be Safe (No Play, No Play).

3. As a program the fitness and coordination aspects cannot be understated.

The program for our school addresses many of the physical activity components of the PDHPE syllabus and keeps children active through structured routines and exercises.

The professional approach adopted by the iKiFit team have allowed us to build an engaged, collaborative and focused culture in both the playground and classrooms across the whole school.

Dan Williams, Deputy Principal St Joseph’s Primary School, Walgett

The iKiFit program has been running in our school for almost 4 years.  Our school has adopted a whole-school approach to delivering the iKiFit program.  As the Year 6 teacher, I have also personally found great value in the iKiFit program on so many levels: 

• Physical Health benefits. Obviously, the core fitness (dance) component of iKiFit delivers a high-energy, convenient and engaging way to involve students in cardiovascular movement.

• Motivation & enthusiasm in class. My students consistently look forward to our iKiFit sessions, and are very disappointed on occasions that we miss or cancel our daily workout.

• Leadership. The iKiCrew initiative has identified and encourage a wide variety of students to take on leadership roles – particularly indigenous students, and students who do not usually ‘fit the mould’ of traditional school leaders (for example, that of a School Captain or SRC Captain).

• Self-esteem and confidence. I have found that iKiFit empowers students, and helps them to feel better about themselves and their abilities. Many students, who do not usually excel or apply themselves in class, often excel and apply themselves fully during iKiFit.

• Goal setting. I have had numerous students – predominately indigenous – who have aspirations to become iKiFit instructors when they are older. They have really taken to the program and what it stands for.