GB kickboxing champion Jessica Roper leapt into action at Northdown Primary School, Margate, to entertain the youngsters with a fun-filled morning of sport.
The black-belted English kickboxing champion showcased her skills in a special assembly where she taught the pupils her three top tips to success: Dream Big, Start Small and, most importantly, Never Give Up!
She demonstrated her athleticism and skill in kickboxing while also teaching the children about how to stay safe in sport – something she explained she learnt quickly after letting her guard down in the early days.
Pupils each took part in a circuit session, learning how to do press ups, spotty dogs and star jumps while cheering on their classmates. Teamwork and resilience were the name of the game.
Christina Goldsmith, Inclusion Manager and PSHE Lead at Northdown, said: “Not only did the children get the chance to learn about a different sport, they explored what it feels like to face setbacks and challenges early on and the importance of resilience and never giving up.
“Hearing that Jessica lost many of her first fights surprised them. The message of ‘start small’ was so important and really resonated with our pupils.”
The visit was linked to Sports for Schools fundraising and pupils were sponsored for their part in the circuit, allowing the school to benefit from some extra sporting equipment.