Are you finding that your lunch breaks are dragging on a bit? If that’s you, you’ve clicked on the right article! Here’s all you need to know about why clubs at are so great (I promise I’m not biased).
Clubs are the backbone of school life; they work to connect our school community through shared interests and allow us to indulge in our passions and enrich our knowledge on topics that extends past the academic curriculum. They are an essential part of our school; I believe that education is incomplete without the co-curriculum and clubs should always exist alongside academics. The variety of clubs that Wimbledon High offers promotes students from all year groups to take on leadership roles that are vital in enhancing confidence. Whilst academic and student-led discussion based clubs improve critical thinking and expose students to different worldviews, sport clubs help to rest and rejuvenate the mind (whilst also spending time outdoors with friends). Athletic clubs are also linked to improved problem-solving skills.
At a time when many schools are replacing extracurricular activities with extra lessons, it is important to recognise the privilege that our school offers in its wide variety of clubs, from sport, to music, to drama, to academic societies. And even if you still feel there is absolutely nothing in the co-curriculum for you, you can even create your own club!
Studies have shown that co-curricular life often provides academic benefits. Club environments at school allow students to gain skills that they might not have developed within lessons which are transferable to improving academic performance. Not to mention, committing yourself to a club each week helps develop better time management as students learn to prioritise time effectively, improving organisation, and adding motivation, which also helps in the classroom. These academic benefits have been researched since the 1930s, and it has been found that students who participate in extracurricular activities tend to have higher grades, test scores, a more positive educational experience and better working skills.
The co-curriculum’s importance however is not just justified by its proven benefits to academia. Coming from someone who is leaving in a couple of months, I can advise that your time at Wimbledon High is truly shaped by memories and experiences. Whilst we’ll all be taking exams and receiving results as we near the end of our time at school (although that’ll probably seem to be a while away for the majority of you!), it is important to also view your time at school as a journey that will shape the rest of your lives – after all, education is more than just grades. Whilst examinations are of course important, school should be viewed as an experience that gives young people the chance to develop their character and interests. Participating in clubs that encourage vertical connections allows students to experience the importance of community involvement and helps foster relationships within school. So, for the small price of only a couple of hours a week, you too can reap the benefits that co-curricular activities provide. I assure you it will significantly improve the fun you have and memories you make at Wimbledon High!
So next lunch time, when boredom does eventually strike once you realise there is still an hour and a half until lessons begin, I urge you to go with a friend to participate in a new club you haven’t tried…
And who knows? You might even enjoy it.
