Recently, I have been involved with a new initiative called Look Up, which is aimed at highlighting how much time the girls spend looking at their screens, using technology, gaming and social media. Its purpose is to encourage all students to be present, happy and connected within their school environment, starting by ‘voluntarily’ putting their phones and screens away for one lunchtime.

On Tuesday 21 July, the Secondary School was set up with opportunities to be involved. There were handball courts, totem tennis, grip ball, Just Dance, games of fly, skipping ropes, drawing corners, board games, soccer and reading couches and the SCC was open for fitness, for the students to engage in ‘unstructured play’ and be in the moment.

What a response we had. With music playing, the school came alive with sounds of laughter, excitement and play and there was not one screen in sight. Everyone found something they could connect with and there was a sense of synergy between Year Groups and friendship circles, so that there were no barriers or boundaries.

There is so much research around the benefits of unstructured play, on the emotional health and physical wellbeing of young people. Look Up lunchtime ignited so many positive behaviours and reactions that it became truly evident that despite the pressures placed on young people today, they are all still children at heart and Ravenswood girls are nothing short of amazing.

Mrs Kate Barbat, PDHPE Teacher