The American Academy Nicosia: Olympic Spirit… All in the heart of Nicosia

The American Academy Nicosia (ΑΑΝ) has successfully participated in the 5th Pan-Cyprian Student Conference ‘Pierre de Coubertin’ that was hosted by the Cyprus Olympic Academy and took place at the Olympic House. With this year’s topic being ‘The active participation in Sports and Olympism as an element of Education’, the AAN was represented by Year 9 students Christina Charalambides, Frixos Georgiades and Stefanos Pouloukas.

The students of the AAN carried out a dynamic and academically thorough presentation under the title ‘Coping with today’s demands: A contemporary exercise apparatus’, highlighting the central role of Physical Education and the need to incorporate more innovative approaches during the class. In line with the philosophy which is now embedded in the central pillars of the Ministry of Education and Culture National PE Curriculum Guide, the students highlighted that PE lessons should aim not only to improve physical condition, well-being and performance but also to develop responsibility, positive attitude, cooperation and problem-solving skills.

To demonstrate this approach, the students had incorporated this concept effectively into real-world setting, during PE classes, by proposing 5 activities which were developed in collaboration with their teachers, Mrs. Natalie Georgiadou Loizidou, Mr. Elias Mavrommatis and Mr. Nicos Lambrias. Activities such as, Tic Tac Toe, Human Tic Tac Toe, Memory, Four Colour and Destination Colour, took place in the new state-of-the-art futsal court of the school and were recorded and shared with the 200 participants, via video. Students were excited to share their positive experiences, stressing out the broader benefits that resulted from these activities, within the school’s multicultural environment.

‘The Olympics’ founding principles are consisted with the school’s core values: respect for pluralism, cultural diversity as well as equal opportunities for all. The contribution of these values to education and society are considered to be of utmost importance and it is our ethical duty to preserve and spread them, by means of ongoing programmes and activities’, stated Mrs. Natalie Georgiadou-Loizidou, Head of the Creative Arts Faculty and Sports Director.

The successful participation in the conference draws on the school’s founding philosophy to promote a balance of academic, physical and social development for all the students. This holistic approach encourages students to be responsible and active, challenge themselves and realise their potential.