“Grit is the strongest predictor for success,” says Angela Lee Duckworth, author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Grit is the determination that keeps us going when quitting seems easier. It’s the drive to keep trying despite setbacks, and the realization that achievement comes not from shortcuts, but from consistency and resilience over time.
“…grit grows as we figure out our life philosophy, learn to dust ourselves off after rejection and disappointment, and learn to tell the difference between low-level goals that should be abandoned quickly and higher-level goals that demand more tenacity.” – Angela Duckworth
Our Grade 9 students aren’t running a marathon—but the metaphor applies. The 5K run is a significant, personally-selected challenge that requires preparation, motivation, and commitment. Through this unit, students are learning to embrace discomfort, set purposeful goals, and develop grit through structured practice and reflection.
The unit is structured in two major tasks:
· Task 1: Setting a SMART goal – a Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound objective connected to running or health improvement.
· Task 2: Designing a personalized training plan supported by research and justification.
These tasks encourage students to become more self-regulated, goal-oriented learners. Combining character development with physical endurance, the unit supports our broader mission of developing lifelong healthy habits and preparing students for long-term success—in fitness and in life.
Running is one of the most natural and beneficial forms of physical activity. According to statista.com, over 6.3 million people in Germany aged 14+ run regularly, while globally, more than 621 million people identify as runners. It promotes mental wellbeing, cardiovascular health, and emotional resilience.
A 2019 Sport England study found that active children report higher happiness and resilience, and are more likely to stay positive in the face of challenges. These outcomes are deeply connected to physical literacy—which includes enjoyment, confidence, competence, knowledge, and understanding (Cornish et al.). Students who are physically literate are more likely to be active and confident throughout life.
Unfortunately, we often see a decline in physical activity during adolescence, especially in the transition to Grade 10 and the IB Diploma Programme. This unit is one of our proactive efforts to instill lifelong, positive habits through engaging, meaningful experiences.
Thank you for supporting your child and our broader goals as a department. We can’t wait to see you on June 4th to help us celebrate!
📚 Bibliography
· Cornish, Katie, et al. “Understanding Physical Literacy in the Context of Health: A Rapid Scoping Review.” BMC Public Health, vol. 20, no. 1, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09583-8.
· Duckworth, Angela. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Simon and Schuster, 2016.
· Tough, Paul. How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character. Mariner Books, 2013.