Primary School Savremena is a stimulating environment for future sports champions.

Students in Years 1 and 2 participated in the Mini Olympic Games held at the “20 October” primary school and organised by the Association for School Sport. Their commitment and athleticism proved that a bright future in sport is ahead of them, if they so choose.

The Mini Olympic Games are organised in several categories, in line with the children’s age. Students of Savremena competed in team sports as part of a mixed team, comprising six girls and six boys.

The first-graders had to face the Fun Polygon, whereas the second-graders tried themselves on the Skill Polygon. The Fun Polygon involved doing a forward roll, crossing the Swedish bench, jumping through hoops, throwing a medicine ball, and hitting a target with balls, while making sure not to cross the marker lines. After completing the polygon, students would return to the starting position and pass the baton to a teammate who would then perform the same exercises.

Given that Year 2 students are presumed to be more skilful and agile, we prepared a series of more demanding physical exercises for them – Skill Polygon. It also began with forward rolls, and continued with the Swedish bench, except that students were required to jump on it and to descend from it with a frog jump. The medical ball was also somewhat heavier, and the target they tried to hit with balls was moved further away. In addition, they also had to make sure not to knock down the markers.

The Mini Olympic Games are organised at five levels, and this was the first – school championship. The next level is the municipal championship, followed by the district, inter-district and state championship. The championship has its place in the official calendar of the Ministry of Education, and each school has the right to bring four teams. In the 1st and 2nd grade categories, the teams are mixed, whereas from the 3rd grade, boys and girls compete in separate categories.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY STIMULATES PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND INTELLIGENCE

Physical education and sport culture lessons have a significant place in the teaching methodology of Savremena. Introducing students to the values of sport and healthy diet in primary school allows students of Savremena to develop properly and acquire a love for sports that will stay with them throughout their lives.

Physical education lessons are held in the large gym, equipped with various sports kits and sets. When the weather allows, lessons are held outdoors, where in addition to a mini gym and mini fields for team sports, there is also a trim track, and a lot of space for various exercises with portable equipment, and sports such as table tennis and tennis. In extracurricular sports activities, students prepare for participation in various tournaments, either on their own, or as part of a team.

In addition, sport and physical activity stimulates intelligence and improves learning. According to the multiple intelligences theory of Howard Gardner, one of the key types of intelligence is bodily or kinesthetic intelligence, and the best way to develop this kind of intelligence is through sports.