More Than a Sports Camp – thank you Martina Maslenová

The triathlon is an endurance event. It requires an incredible amount of mental strength—not only physical strength. Then take a long-distance triathlon and multiply everything that goes into it. The preparation. The hours and hours of training that sometimes seem to be going nowhere until race day proves otherwise. The grit and determination needed just to get to the start line, never mind the finish line. The time management. The minute details of preparing your bike, your equipment, your nutrition, making sure every transition goes smoothly. The endless swim sessions where technique matters more than strength, and where it is often just you, the water, and your thoughts.

So, when it comes to organising something as challenging—but equally as rewarding—as taking an entire class of energetic nine-year-olds and two teachers on a fully funded sports camp at the world-famous X-BIONIC® Sphere, perhaps it should not surprise us that our dear parent, Martina Maslenová, mother of Nelka Zachvejová and a successful long-distance Ironwoman herself, managed to do exactly that.

Behind what looked like a perfectly organised week were countless hours of planning, emails, phone calls, scheduling, and problem-solving. Everything had been thought through. Every activity, every meal, every transition. It felt effortless to us because someone else had done the hard work beforehand—something every triathlete knows a thing or two about.

Together with our wonderful PE Coordinator, Mr. Jim, I had the privilege of accompanying our Year 4 students on this unforgettable adventure. Miss Anna our early years PE teacher also joined us for one night, and she wants to work at making sure each year groups gets to repeat this experience.

For one week, we were given a glimpse into the world of elite athletes. Our students trained in Olympic-size swimming pools, ran on professional athletics tracks, played football, tried beach volleyball, explored the gymnastics hall, and made full use of the incredible multi-sport facilities. They experienced not only the places where top athletes train, but also the discipline, healthy lifestyle, balanced nutrition, and dedication that sit behind every sporting achievement.

And yes… we made sure there was plenty of fun too.

There was time to cool off in the water park, enjoy a trip to the cinema (yes… Toy Story 5 already! Where has the time gone?), go bowling, and put on an unforgettable talent show where some of the boys surprised us all with impressive Michael Jackson dance routines. Evenings became some of my favourite moments as we played board games, read stories together, chatted, laughed, and simply enjoyed getting to know one another outside the classroom. Each morning began with peaceful yoga as we greeted the rising sun before another busy day.

As a teacher, however, the greatest joy was not simply seeing the facilities or the activities.

It was seeing EISB come to life.

So often we speak about Approaches to Learning, about developing internationally minded young people, about teaching children skills for life. This week reminded me that these are not just words in a curriculum document. They are real. Our children live them.

We saw students deal with frustration when something was difficult or did not go their way. We watched them pick themselves up after disappointment and try again. We saw them encourage classmates who were nervous, celebrate one another’s successes, and quietly help someone who needed support without being asked.

We watched them motivate themselves through challenges, look out not only for each other but also for us as teachers, showing genuine empathy and kindness in countless little moments. We saw children challenge each other to be braver, stronger and more resilient, while always doing so respectfully. They were careful, responsible and thoughtful. They were not afraid to politely speak up to adults when they had questions or suggestions. They communicated confidently. They reasoned. They solved problems. They thought critically. Most importantly, they showed us that they know how to learn.

As teachers, moments like these are incredibly special because they remind us why education is so much more than what happens inside four classroom walls.

Learning happens during a difficult climb. It happens while waiting patiently for a turn. It happens when someone loses a game. It happens when someone chooses kindness over winning. It happens when children realise they are capable of more than they thought.

I cannot thank Martina enough for even thinking of applying for this grant, let alone putting in the enormous amount of work that made it possible. She gave our students an experience they will remember for many years to come.

I am equally grateful to EISB for recognising that the education of a child is truly holistic. Academic learning is important, but so too are experiences that allow children to discover who they are, how they work with others, and what they are capable of becoming.

Weeks like this remind me just how fortunate I am to be part of a school community that believes in educating the whole child.

And perhaps, just like a long-distance triathlon, the greatest rewards are rarely found at the finish line. They are found in everything that happens along the way.