Camborne Science and International Academy (CSIA) students are taking their fitness to a new, virtual level.

While the coronavirus crisis may have prevented lessons at school, CSIA’s PE department have created a Fitness Challenge to inspire students to exercise at home and prepare for the Virtual Cornwall School Games coming up later in the month.

“The PE Fitness challenge was something that was created by Phoebe Williams and Lucy Sage - they wanted to create an inspirational video that showed the CSIA PE Department getting active, whilst also setting an online challenge for students,” said Tamsin Hosking, teacher of PE, sport and dance at CSIA.

“Each staff member recorded themselves at home completing exercises and Lucy put all of this together into a video for students to enjoy – it’s our very own ‘Joe Wicks’ style workout!”

As well as the workout videos helping to keep the CSIA community fit and healthy at home, the challenge allows students to document their achievements and be recognised by CSIA’s new ‘Extraordinary Me Awards’. The awards invite all Year 7-10 students to enter via Google Classrooms, with certificates given to every student who enters.

“It’s all about staying active during these challenging times when we’re spending much more time in the house. Our online Fitness Challenge can be found on our Facebook page, and the whole family can take part!” said Ms Hosking.

In addition to the PE department’s workouts, CSIA is involved in the Virtual Cornwall School Games which goes live on June 22.

“This has been launched by Active Cornwall and the School Games Organisers to offer some opportunities for competition in light of the current situation and the normal School Games being unable to go ahead,” said Ms Hosking. “This week they have launched the different activities, with task cards that explain how to complete the challenges, ideas for ways it can be done at home and videos explaining the activity.”

In the Cornwall Virtual School Games students can compete in the activities for the specific day and upload their results. “Each student who is involved will earn points for CSIA, plus chances to win their own medals. At the end of the week, there will be a virtual closing ceremony where winners will be announced. It’s all about celebrating the benefits of being active during this difficult time.”

Ms Hosking said that while she was disappointed that the pandemic had forced the cancellation of the Cornwall School Games, everyone has worked very hard to make sure students remain involved in the inter-school contest, in a virtual way.

“All students who take part in the online Fitness Challenge and Virtual School Games are putting their efforts towards their Extraordinary Me Awards as part of their personal wellbeing plans, so it’s a win-win all round,” said Su Gellatly, assistant principal at CSIA.