HRHS kinesiology students hone their softball skills during a peer-teaching session in the Synergy Credit Union Vault on Monday afternoon. Jeannette Benoit-Leipert Meridian Source
A group of athletes at Holy Rosary High School are bringing their love of sport into the classroom.
Their kinesiology course runs throughout the entire school year and counts for three credits.
On Monday, students were tasked with teaching their peers how to perform specific skills related to their favourite sport.
“They’re all athletes, they know how to do the skill, but to be able to transfer that into teaching someone else can be quite difficult for some people,” said Ashley Fullarton, who teaches phys-ed, kinesiology and is the school’s athletic director.
Fullarton has been teaching the course for five years and said what they learn translates well outside of the classroom.
“Some of them are going to be coaches, if they’re not coaching already. It’s so they feel comfortable doing that, and they can help make a difference in the community.”
The kinesiology class is a cross between science and phys-ed, with components of both subjects included.
“It’s really helped a lot of them, especially with the bio-mechanics aspect,” said Fullarton.
“The science behind the foul shot or the science behind the golf swing and things like that. And how just a little tweak can really help them amplify and really get to success in their sport.”
Jacob Weinkauf is enjoying the class and is prepared to teach his peers some football skills.
“We learn from each other because everyone in this class plays a sport of some type. So I get to learn basketball, softball … it’s just nice to do something together as a group,” said Weinkauf, adding the class helps him on the field as well.
“I’m doing football for the offensive line. This is a health science class so we learn stuff about muscles and tapings and things like that.
“So, say I’m on the field and I get an injury, I know how to tape an ankle or wrap something.”
Marissa Howdle is teaching an important rugby skill to her peers.
“We’re showing them how to throw a rugby ball because it’s a little bit different than any other ball you throw in sports. Just like the basics,” said Howdle.
“It (the class) really helps with the sports I play. Fully (Fullarton) is an awesome coach. We’ve been doing concussion courses and stuff … strategies and techniques we can use outside of the class,” she said, adding she’s excited to learn new skills from her classmates too.
“I’m excited to see what Jacob has with football. I’ve never really done anything like that, so it’s cool.”
Fullarton says since it’s a full-year class, students often find a sense of camaraderie and comfortability with one another that can help them learn more effectively.
“These guys are friends for the most part outside of school, so when they come to the class they usually hit the ground running right away, but seeing their confidence grow in their ability to even just present in the class, raising their hand, asking questions things like that,” said Fullarton.
“Seeing them be able to use a lot of the things they do in their sport for the science aspect of it is really quite awesome.”
