BUILDING confidence and self-esteem is the main goal of a new partnership between Insight Education, Blind Sports Victoria and Funtastic Gymnastics in Berwick.
On Monday, seven Insight students – who suffer from some kind of blindness or vision impairment – worked on their gymnast skills, following a successful pilot program at Essendon Keilor Gymnastics Academy.
Insight students have been attending gymnast classes since last year, and this week principal Tim Hemphill said they once again displayed typical courage to tackle various activities.
With research showing that learning is approximately 80 per cent visual, Insight students require explicit instruction, especially when it comes to ropes, rings and beams of gymnastics.
“This is all part of our expanded core curriculum,” he said.
“It’s become a regular activity for the school and it will continue next term also.
“It helps the students be aware of their own bodies and what’s around them.
“It builds social skills. Students can share goals about what they want to achieve. It’s a pathway to inclusion.”
Seven-year-old students Christian and Jemma love the experience of being taught specific skills, to simply jumping into a foam pit.
“I love the rope because I get to swing like Tarzan,” Christian said, while Jemma has been working on her “candlestick” manoeuvre.
“I’m tipped upside down on the rings,” she said.
Students not only sail on Fridays, but go shopping for ingredients and cook for staff mid-week.
