In the Skill Acquisition Phase, the focus is on developing the four core skills of football - first touch, striking the ball, running with the ball and 1v1's. It is common practice as coaches in this phase, to have one of those four skills as the sole objective for a training session. … [Read more...] about Game-Based Training
An Amazing Year
I have heard it said, "to teach is to learn twice". Thank you to a very special group of Under 9's for an amazing year! … [Read more...] about An Amazing Year
The Soft Drink Alternative
When I heard about Kombucha I wasn't that excited. "Just another craze to hit the fitness industry alongside coconut water", I thought. But I tasted Kombucha at a local market and thought it tasted pretty amazing. The sales pitch was claiming almost no sugar and a variety of health … [Read more...] about The Soft Drink Alternative
The Fifth C – Compassion?
In our learning we are driven by the 4C’s – Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity and Collaboration. These elements are fundamental to how we think, what we do and how we do it. This week, Year 9 have immersed themselves in the world of current affairs and have spent time investigating some … [Read more...] about The Fifth C – Compassion?
Thinking Like a Kid!
A few years back I did a subject at Uni on the human brain, and I have been amazed ever since at the way it works and the things it can do. So, when a show called 'Brain Games' came on the TV last Sunday, I watched intently. I took away two key messages from the episode that I wanted to share with … [Read more...] about Thinking Like a Kid!
Why Are YOU Listening?
Do you listen to understand or to respond? ‘Experts’ suggest that it will be for one of these two reasons. Having recently read this, it has started me questioning myself about my own ability to truly ‘listen’ and how well I actually understand what is being expressed to … [Read more...] about Why Are YOU Listening?
Simply Fresh
Jamie Oliver has to be my favourite celebrity chef. I love his fresh and simple approach to cooking. I have made many of his recipes over the years and I have made many a Jamie inspired salad for the cold buffet. I also enjoy the fact that he is teaching colleges and … [Read more...] about Simply Fresh
Chill Out
What do we do in yoga? Yoga is a regular part of the week at both the football and tennis colleges. Students practise sequences of yoga poses (asana) and are encouraged to ‘stop thinking and start feeling’ what is happening within their bodies. Many people think you have to be … [Read more...] about Chill Out
Student Absences
One of my daily reception jobs is to record all student absences. When a parent calls, texts or emails the office if their child is absent, it makes my job a lot easier! Sometimes however, the office does not receive notification of a student’s absence. In that case, a generated message is sent … [Read more...] about Student Absences
Slow Down? Not at IFS!
The 2015 academic year is in its final five weeks and you would expect that we are starting to slow the pace and wind down. Not at IFS. Last week we welcomed the old Year 11 students back from their exams and they joined the new Year 11's at the Stage 6 camp. We had … [Read more...] about Slow Down? Not at IFS!