This year's election focused specifically on vmbo schools, because these students often lag behind other young people in secondary education in terms of sports and physical activity. This is a trend that the eventual winner from Rijswijk has managed to counter excellently. The jury concluded that this school has successfully developed a unique physical activity concept involving daily sports and exercise for the students. They make optimal use of the building to get all students moving. The Physical Education teachers serve as important role models within the school, and students and colleagues are true ambassadors for the fittest school. Physical activity is not only the goal, but is also used to work on executive functions. “Stanislas has a concept that is firmly established, with a sense of naturalness that is felt throughout all layers of the school,” said jury member Eric Swinkels of the KVLO.
Director Stanislas-Nelline van Duijn: “This is simply fantastic; I am incredibly proud, especially of the students and our team. Both today and over the past few years. We really are a team: everyone is having an amazing time, and that is truly because of sports. It adds so much value! The students learn to persevere, they learn to work together, and above all, they learn to have a lot of fun. This title is a wonderful culmination of the work we started eight years ago. And we hope to build on it from here.”
Best sports presentation & knowledge-sharing event
During the lunch break, all the nominated schools put on spectacular sports presentations. The prize for the best sports presentation was won by Da Vinci Lammenschans from Leiden. They won a gift certificate and an Airfloor.
In addition to the election, a successful ‘vmbo knowledge event’ took place on the same day, focusing on knowledge sharing by the nominated schools and involving young people in vmbo in sports and physical activity in and around the school.
About the ‘Fittest School in the Netherlands’ election
Every year, the KVLO, together with NOC*NSF and the Knowledge Centre for Sport & Physical Activity, organizes the election for ‘Fittest School in the Netherlands’. One year, the search is for the fittest primary school and the fittest special (primary) education school, while the following year, elections are organized for secondary education and special secondary education. The aim of this election is to recognize sports-active schools and departments that offer an exceptionally good or innovative range of physical activity and sports opportunities for their school. In addition, the organization is pleased to give these schools a platform to inspire other schools. Naturally, all schools are 'Healthy Schools’.