Balance between sports and academic performance

Life sciences teacher Nicholas Bixa’s approach to balancing sports and academic performance at Star College Pretoria is paying off – if the continued performance of Grade 11 student Noah Tesfay is anything to go by.

In line with global studies showing the significant impact of sports and academics, Bixa believes that involving students in sports and academics has numerous benefits, including better physical and mental health, improved cognitive function and better academic performance.

Open-minded

While most academic schools in South Africa rely more on books than sports, Bixa says: “As much as Star College Pretoria is an academic school, teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem), the benefits of school sports – including physical fitness, promotion, character development, better academics, social skills, stress relief and goal achievement – ​​are undeniable.

“As we move forward, let us remember that encouragement and support are essential to unlocking students’ potential through sport. We always teach them to set achievable and specific goals so that students can grow and ensure that they perform at their best in their own comfortable state, knowing who they are.”

Bixa’s approach to teaching is “to ensure that I have crucial skills that allow my students to be open-minded, altruistic, compassionate champions who make better choices and love humanity, their living species and nature.

“I make them think deeply about themselves and challenge them to be great individuals. I also teach them behavior and respect for everyone. Self-esteem and self-confidence are critical in meeting achievable expectations – in resolving discipline issues.”

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Leadership

His role model is Grade 11 School Prefect Tesfay – a top academic student who has shown great leadership qualities; a leading participant in the South African Agency for Science & Technology Advancement (Saasta) 2023 Olympiad, having achieved national and international gold colours.

The Saasta awards ceremony – under the auspices of the Department of Science and Innovation – will take place between July and August. Describing the student as “a very academic student, who has held first and second positions since eighth grade,” Bixa said Tesfay also excels in sports.

“By participating in prestigious events like Saasta, students can foster critical thinking and use science, math, coding and robotics to solve social, academic and life problems. “This improves student self-esteem – and also allows academics who have a place where they belong to be recognized for their academic successes by competing with like-minded students.”

Relaxation

Tesfay, a player on the senior basketball school team and also a talented swimmer and footballer, says he plays sports to relax his mind.

“I notice that participating in sports helps to improve focus and my mental health. “I believe that hard work should be supplemented with rest.

“I would like to reach greater heights and will not take this as a signal to stop my work for success. My success serves as my inspiration. My strategy is to work consistently and purposefully at home and at school. I study daily to understand and complete the school work,” says Tesfay.

Performance

Against the backdrop of a 100% pass rate and 76% bachelor’s degree completion rate, Star College Pretoria is among the best performing institutions in South Africa.

“We strive to create a safe, nurturing – yet challenging – environment built on positive relationships, developing the whole student emotionally, socially and academically,” says principal Murat Kalayci.

“We care for and value all of our students as unique individuals – each with different talents, interests, needs and different abilities to serve the community.”

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