Pupils at Redoubt North Primary School have received a first-hand demonstration of Cricket Smart 2016 — the educational resource that uses cricket to help primary and intermediate schools students learn more about their fundamental curriculum subjects — from maths, science and technology to arts, language and health.
BLACKCAPS batsman Ross Taylor and the WHITE FERNS’ Liz Perry joined the Minister of Sport, the Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, and New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White at Redoubt North to help launch, and open registrations for, the programme.
Taylor was a big hit with the pupils, one of whom provided the BLACKCAPS right-hander with a detailed précis on Indian rival Virat Kohli, complete with accompanying scoring wagon-wheels, and advice on how to best restrict him.
Following the successful co-hosting of last year’s Cricket World Cup 2015, when over 1,400 schools registered for Cricket Smart, the resources have been modified and revised, and the “new improved” model rolled out this year.
Developed and updated by Cognition, a Ministry of Education endorsed education developer, Cricket Smart offers a range of curriculum-based learning and teaching resources for Years 1 to 8. The programme is made up of five different resource themes spanning eight subject areas.
One of the Cricket Smart themes – Hit it for Six! – has a more practical component in which students can develop their cricket skills in the school yard. To support this, all schools which register for the programme will also gain access to the New Zealand Post Superstarter Skills resource — which contains a series of skills sessions for teachers to use with their students.
All Cricket Smart resources, including some fascinating multimedia tools, are now downloadable so they can be used in classrooms around New Zealand.
For more information, or to register your school, please visit www.blackcaps.co.nz/cricket
