The GESS sports and physical education programme has been growing from strength to strength, and the momentum continues with the return of Fernando Bermudez – or Ferdy as he prefers to be known – as the new Head of Physical and Outdoor Education.
Hi Ferdy, tell us a bit more about yourself!
Some of the staff may remember me from my previous stint as Head of Sports right here in GESS! Yes, I am back, after four years leading physical and health education at an international school in Saudi Arabia.
Tapping into 25 years’ worth of insights and experience in physical and health education, sports coaching, and athletics programmes, gathered across South America, the Middle East and Asia, I endeavour to bring a well-rounded perspective to enhance sports and outdoor education at GESS.
What is your personal belief and focus on bringing our programme to the next level?
From preschool to high school, physical education and outdoor learning are a core part of learning at GESS. My focus will be on enriching current offerings and continuing to bring an array of approaches to cater to students of varying abilities, interests and athletic aspirations.
My goal is to enable every student to experience physical education in many forms, both as part of the curriculum and through after-school activities, and guide them to develop a positive relationship with physical exercise, movement and health – for their lifelong personal wellbeing.
Having been in GESS years ago, and now as a returnee to the team, what is your take on how GESS has been delivering outdoor learning and physical education?
The outdoors and nature have always been an extension of the GESS classroom and the perfect counterbalance to the 21st-century digital world. From trips to the nature reserves to camps in the jungle, our students venture out of their comfort zone and try age-appropriate challenges that strengthen them physically and mentally.
I will play a key role in designing more outdoor education programmes that invite active participation from learners, fostering an adventurous spirit, and promoting qualities such as resilience and courage.
I am very excited about the future and confident of our students’ potential, as I believe they will continue to benefit from a dynamic and modern sports and outdoor education programme supporting their growth in sports arenas, nature, and beyond.
Lastly, what can our students anticipate in the near future for physical and outdoor education?
Our learners can look forward to three aspects of our programme:
Firstly, upholding our physical education programmes across ages and curricula. As we already know, students benefit from regular physical education sessions where they learn life skills like swimming and develop their abilities in team and individual sports. We have a strong foundation with very experienced educators in GESS to ensure our programme continues growing.
Secondly, availing co-curricular sports for all. Our participation sports offerings, which include football, floorball, volleyball, basketball, touch rugby, taekwondo, mountain biking and many more, encourage broad engagement and allow students to explore a variety of sports in a low-pressure environment. The existing suite of activities is a robust selection for GESS families, and this continues to grow.
Thirdly, cultivating competitive sports and elite athletes. For those with advanced skills and higher sports aspirations, we have our GESS Wildcats led by experienced coaches and former professional athletes. Popular sports include football, volleyball, basketball, and more. We also have student teams and individuals representing GESS and their countries in the international school tournament circuits and sports arena, such as ACSIS, SEA Games, and even the most recent Olympics!
An excellent example of this approach is our elite swimming programme. GESS competitive swimmers undergo a rigorous training programme designed by Head of Swimming, coach Ivan. We all bear witness to how he has brought about international and regional opportunities, swimming camps supported by international athletes, and more. His expertise and commitment even see him involved in individual guidance on our swimmers’ nutrition and mental strength for competitions.
As a former professional football player in Argentina and Brazil myself, I aspire to add value with my experiences in the competitive world of sports – helping to design the right environment for our exceptional student athletes to thrive.
