Hilversum – there is no shortage of creativity in it Alberdingk Thijm College. Now that most of the lessons are taken on the laptop, teacher Dennis Rijerse has come up with a digital alternative to the gym lessons: “Everyone tracks the number of kilometers they travel.” This has since evolved into a challenge for a virtual return trip to Australia.
Guru Rijerse didn’t have to think long about getting a proper name: lockDown Under Challenge. So in total, we have to travel 30,000 km to Australia and return before the lockdown ends. We have around 1,900 students and teachers, so we had to raise the bar high. ”
The school publishes an update daily to clarify students’ whereabouts to students. “With 694 kilometers we are on the bank of the Vltava River,” the post said after the second day of the challenge. “We don’t have time to rest. Australia is waiting and we’re on the right track.”
“We move less and get out a little, that’s bad.”
Besides the fact that the challenge binds students a little bit more in these crazy times, according to Rijerse, it’s mainly about getting students and teachers moving. “Not only for the sake of your physical health, but also for your mental health. The moment I don’t take a step to actively move, everything about the day stays in your head.” He also hears from many students and colleagues that there is less exercise. We are seldom outside, which is bad.
Pupil Ida Clarenbeek from HAVO 4 also noted that getting less exercise has an effect on her school performance. “I can’t sit well or concentrate well. If I don’t move, it gets worse.” Fortunately, the Down Underground Challenge inspires people to do more. “I now have an exit goal.”
See below how passionate Ida is for the challenge. The text continues below the video.
To get students and teachers excited, teacher Rijerse came up with two rewards. “For every 1,000 kilometers we travel, the teacher posts a video to encourage everyone.” But the big prize will come when we get to 30,000 kilometers. Then Rijerse promises to throw a big party for the whole school. “That’s a promise with this. It will probably take some time before this is actually realized, but it’s very likely to be planned.”
Watch the school’s first video below after hitting 1,000 kilometers. Rijerse himself took the initiative to get everyone excited.
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