Teacher Profile BHS has a new Head of PE and Sport


“I strongly believe that playing sports and being active supports the academic curriculum and well-being of students.”


the highest level in hockey, I believe I have a lot of experience to help youth in sport reach their potential. I am also a firm believer that PE is key in developing character.


I


n In September 2018, Stephanie Barnwell joined the BHS faculty as the Head of Physical Education and


Sport. Mrs Barnwell hails from Hill Head, near Portsmouth, on the South Coast of England. She holds a BA in PE with Qualified Teacher Status, and is midway through her Master in Leadership within Education.


The list of sports Mrs Barnwell participated in while at school is impressive and she has sport qualifications in an equally impressive


array, including Ultimate


Frisbee! She was also a Regional Netball Player and an International Hockey Player for seven years. Since arriving in Bermuda she has joined the local Netball team Lindo’s Tigers. Off the field, she enjoys running on the Railway Trails, snorkeling and wildlife and says she really enjoys Bermuda’s beaches and hopes to learn to SCUBA dive. Torchbearer asked Mrs Barnwell to share more about her career and her vision for PE and Sport at BHS.


Torchbearer: What led you to become a PE teacher? Stephanie Barnwell: I loved my PE lessons at school. I always wanted to help people and make a positive difference in people’s lives. Since competing at


14 Torchbearer Spring 2018


TB: Describe the importance of PE as a school subject and how it fits with the overall academic curriculum? SB: Physical Education and Sport teaches life lessons in a way that no other subject can. Just a few of the many aspects are: fun, passion, respect, discipline, friendship, leadership, resilience, teamwork, confidence, mental toughness, character development, commitment, integrity, attitude, accountability, motor skills, knowledge and behaviours of healthy active living, physical fitness, sportsmanship, self-efficacy and emotional intelligence. There are many studies that have shown that exercise increases blood flow to the brain and helps the body build more connections between nerves, which leads to increased concentration, enhanced memory, stimulated creativity and better- developed problem solving skills. In short, playing sports helps your brain grow and makes it work better. I strongly believe that playing sports and being active supports the academic curriculum and well-being of students.


TB: What are your impressions of school sports at BHS? SB: The BHS sports teams have been very successful in certain areas. The parents and volunteers play a key role in the amount of sporting opportunities that BHS offers students. The students are very coachable and commit themselves to a variety of activities.


TB: Is there anything in particular you are focusing on or would like to see improve for the athletes and teams that represent BHS? Mrs Downey: As a PE department we are currently working on our Mission Statement and core values. I will be informing all stakeholders (parents, students and staff), of these before the end of this academic year. One thing I can reveal is that we have


already started working with the students at BHS on positivity. We want to ensure that all sporting experiences are positive ones and that we develop better people first, and then better athletes.


TB: Do you have a favourite motivational quote or song? SB: Quote: “Do something today that you will be proud of tomorrow.” Song: ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ by Marvin Gaye.


TB: What is one thing that might surprise people about you? SB: I chose to quit my international hockey career because I was burnt out and I lost the love for the game. I have since regained it, thankfully! However, this experience has molded my outlook on youth sport today.


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