As the Assistant Head overseeing the Co-Curricular provision at my school, I cannot emphasise enough the pivotal role and importance of clubs and societies for our students.
At Notting Hill & Ealing High School GDST, we offer nearly 150 different activities, ranging from music, sports, and drama to both subject-specific and non-subject activities. These activities not only provide our students with leadership opportunities but also foster a collegial atmosphere where students from different year groups and friendship groups come together to try something new.
In this day and age, where we are all glued to our phones and screens, these activities provide a sanctuary away from devices and engage students in meaningful social interactions.
One particular club I want to highlight, which I run and am passionate about, is the Boardgame club. Having run this club in various schools, I am consistently amazed at the maturity it brings out in students. I’ve seen a range of cross-curricular concepts they’ve learned in other subjects, such as Maths, English, Sciences, and Languages, being applied when they play these games. Board games are a fantastic way for our students to develop a wealth of skills, including:
🎲 Communication: Enhancing verbal and non-verbal interaction.
🎲Critical and Lateral Thinking: Encouraging problem-solving and innovative thinking.
🎲Strategy Development: Planning and executing complex strategies.
🎲Patience and Perseverance: Building resilience and determination.
🎲Social Interactions: Fostering teamwork and empathy.
And let’s not forget, board games are not just about Monopoly and Chess. There is a whole range of new games available that can easily fit into a lunchtime club. Modern board games cater to various interests and skill levels, making them a versatile and engaging option for students.
In my opinion, all schools should have a board game club where students can come together and hone these invaluable skills. For those seeking inspiration for their own boardgame club, there is a significant event this weekend that you shouldn’t miss—the UK Games Expo in Birmingham. This event features thousands of different games suitable for all ages.
If you need any advice on how to start, what games are student friendly and easy to learn, let me know. The picture below features a few games from my personal collection.
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2moIntel Corporation is proud to support our students in Arizona. Team Kyrene School District, thanks for the opportunity to invest in a gaming program developed by our amazing educators. 📚✂️✏️🚌🎓