MATTHEW ROSS FRENCH

Cultural enhancement and knowledge acquisition through

Physical Education

Presentation Overview

Background informationPierre de Coubertin and the Modern OlympicsThe Modern Multicultural, Multilingual, Global

SchoolPrinciples of SportEnhancement of Cultural tolerance through

Physical EducationPhysical Education & Sport’s role in Cultural and

Social IntegrationPhysical Education at St. Paul’s School

Background Information

Physical Education teacher and Housemaster currently working at St. Paul’s School, Sao Paulo, Brazil

St. Paul’s is a leading British international school catering for students from over 30 different backgrounds in one of the largest metropolises in the world

Reading for my Masters in Education (International Education) from the University of Sydney

“Organised sport can create moral and social strength” Pierre de Coubertin

Pierre de Coubertin

French educationalist who had a particular interest in Physical Education and its importance in a students education and society as a whole.

The basis of Pierre’s vision was the beginning of the internationalisation of sport and culture – an important dynamic

Considered sport to be an unrivalled means of education and training

The Modern Multicultural, Multilingual, Global School

How can a school best deal with cultural integration, whilst concurrently adapting to the global context?

Key ingredients?

Staff Values Learning Community

Shared Responsibility

Diversity Togetherness

Key Ingredients

Staff - essential within a successful school –facilitators, energizers and nurturers

Whole school continuous insets on cultural sensitivity within both the staff and student body

Values – consistent throughout the schoolA learning and moral community Shared responsibility for cultural integration and

attempt to adhere to the same core values that guide the education of the students.

Diversity and differentiationTogetherness – a part of a larger entity (eg. House

System, Tutor Groups, School Spirit)

How can then cultural sensitivity be enhanced through Physical Education and

Sport?

The underlying essential principles of sport Teamwork Character-building Mutual understanding ‘Sporting Dialogue’ Co-operation Ethics/morals/rules Sportsmanship Respect Leadership

Universality of Sport

Universality of sport – Transcends cultural and national boundaries

The principles and rules instilled in the the playground are maintained for a life in Physical ActivityWorld cup – ‘say no to racism’ sends accross

a powerful message

Development of Character, Social and Cultural Sensitivity in Physical Education

Character built through Physical Education promotes core ethical values of group acceptance and social cohesion

Social sensitivity and the development of cultural competence must be comprehensively defined to include and promote core values

To develop character, students need the opportunity for ‘practical’ group work, leadership and self-actualized activities

Physical Education & Sport’s role in Cultural and Social Integration

One of the most important forms of socialisation and ‘human interaction’ for individuals is through sport and activity

Peer relationships

Physical Education and sport has an increasingly powerful role in developing peer relationships between cultures and promoting healthy cultural tolerance

Emphasised through establishing a change in attitude towards differing cultural groups

Peer-Peer LearningLeadership

Physical Education at St. Paul’s School

“Physical Education at St. Paul’s School aims to empower all students in a bi-cultural and bi-lingual education, to sustain regular, lifelong physical activity as a foundation for a healthy, productive and fulfilling life”

Physical Education teachers teach across both primary and secondary schools

Students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and all lessons are taught in English

In order to integrate such diversity in culture and language - games and activities must be all inclusive and students given the facility to make humanistic decisions

Physical Education at St. Paul’s School

Games which focus on all pupils gaining maximum participation and learning to work with others

Motivated environmentMorals of fair-play, teamwork, unity and

togetherness are consistently instilled Integration of both English and Brazilian principlesPhysical Education (in this instance at the practical

level) plays a significant pastoral and social role – through collaborative games, group work, motor senses – integrating content to various cultural groupings