Pupils fight fat with new school gym (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Ursuline High School pupils fight fat with new gym

2:40pm Monday 4th March 2013 in News By Omar Oakes

Enterprising schoolchildren have taken a radical step to combating childhood obesity – by opening up a gym of their own.

A team at Ursuline High School, in Raynes Park, said they wanted to provide a free gym to encourage healthy lifestyles after being inspired by the London 2012 Olympics.

Sarah-Jane Watson, the deputy head girl, said: “Not only do I believe that introducing the gym to Ursuline high school will encourage the girls to get fit and follow in British Olympians footsteps, but it also is a demonstration of our schools motto ‘Serviam’ (I will serve) as it organised and run by students, who now hold the responsibility of keeping this inspiration alive.”

This story was featured in Your Local Guardian’s Young Reporter series, where we showcase the excellent work of budding journalists across south-west London and Surrey.

Nadine Eggleton, who wrote the story, said: “This gym could have a massive impact on the Merton community, as they too may become inspired by the determination of the Ursuline pupils to achieve great health and fitness.

“Research shows that the percentage of the population in Merton aged over 55 participating in at  least 30 minutes of sport and active recreation (including recreational cycling and walking) of at least moderate intensity, at least 3 days a week, was 11.9 per cent.”