MIS's After School Activities (ASA) programme provides a diverse range of extracurricular opportunities, but the Tumbling and Parkour program is distinguished by its unique structure and student-led approach. This program is the only one at the school to integrate students from the Junior, Middle, and Senior schools, creating a multi-age environment where participants are encouraged to challenge their physical boundaries in a supportive setting.
What is Parkour? Parkour is a physical discipline focused on moving through an environment by navigating obstacles using only the human body. It typically involves running, climbing, jumping, and vaulting. Athletically, it is highly beneficial as it builds functional strength, agility, spatial awareness, and cardiovascular endurance, requiring the body to adapt quickly to different terrains and movements.
The MIS program leverages these athletic benefits by utilizing professional equipment, including gymnastics beams, bars, vaults, and springs. Under the guidance of student leaders like Grade 9 student Kaia Lemmers, participants engage in rigorous sessions that focus on flexibility, strength, and balance. The training includes mastering complex maneuvers such as flips, splits, and bar exercises, which student leaders believe offer life skills—like discipline and physical awareness—that extend beyond those taught in standard physical education classes. Kaia encourages students to “try it out because you learn new tricks every time, and what you learn is not in your typical PE or regular schooling."
A defining characteristic of this ASA is its student-led nature. Participants take full responsibility for the session from the outset, leading intense and in-depth warm-ups. The culture is one of high energy and "genuine commitment," maintained by a collective "everybody up" philosophy that ensures all students remain active and engaged. This autonomy fosters significant independence and self-sufficiency, particularly among the younger Junior School participants. Despite the inevitable falls and bruises, "the spirit of perseverance is influenced by the fellow students themselves, who are constantly motivating one another."
The program’s community dynamic is a core feature, emphasizing mutual respect and shared learning between age groups. Lemmers notes that older students find value in the responsibility of mentoring their younger peers, while also finding they can learn from the younger students' perspectives. This inclusive atmosphere is bolstered by a spirit of perseverance; even when students experience hard falls, the motivation provided by their peers often sees them back on the mats within minutes. Given its success at MIS, student leadership has advocated for the program’s expansion to other schools, highlighting its ability to build both physical confidence and a strong sense of community.
