The school recently opened a state-of-the art gym and multi-function sports facility that is changing the way we think about traditional physical education in schools.

Principal Darren Cox said that both students and staff are flocking to the facility that would put most commercial gyms to shame, both before and after school.

While still delivering the traditional PE syllabus, the school is placing a larger focus on engaging the students through establishing a healthy lifestyle through regular workouts on treadmills, elliptical walkers and weights.

“The kids in years five to 10 have three lessons in here a week and the feedback from the two gym instructors has been fantastic,” he said. “They never have to ask a kid to use a machine, they come in and away they go.”

The facility which is also littered with big screen televisions and a monitored sound and video system, is about doing something to combat obesity in our region’s young people according to Mr Cox.

“The kids know this is for life. The research into what [physical exercise] does for your brain development, emotional health mental health and well-being is just off the Richter scale,” he said.

“The statistics in Cessnock around childhood obesity aren’t the best, so what we are creating here are some life habits – you can use this space here from year five in your lessons and by the time you get to Year 11 you’ve created that pathway, and when you leave school, establish healthy habits.

“The kids are looking at it not as a subject to pass or fail but rather as something that they will hopefully carry with them through life.”

Mr Cox said that the centre, which opened just under four months ago had already seen palpable effects with staff and students making use of the facility after hours.

Another positive effect of the push was creating a greater sense of community among staff and students.

“Everyone is equal,” he said. “There are no students or teachers in the gym, just people trying to be the best they can be.”