Climb every mountain ...till you find your dream ...

I wonder if Julie Andrews is a jogger? The opening scene of the Sound of Music sees her running up a mountain.

Calliope had its final harrier event of the winter season: King and Queen of the Mountain. This involves an insane uphill road run from Chelsea Sugar  to just short of Mokoia Road in Birkenhead.

Over 30 runners and walkers from all over gathered at the bottom of the hill. They set off on their tortuous agonizing  journeys at 5 second intervals (as you do).

Between 5 and 12 minutes later, depending on their respective speeds, people arrive (breasts heaving) at the top.

Now, to change tack slightly. Maths Class!!

1. The first person left at 0 secs, and we went at 5 sec intervals. I started at 1 min 40 secs. So what number person was I?

2. At what time did the 29 th person start, if the first person started at 6:45 pm?

3. My recorded time at the finish was 7 min 46 secs. What was my actual time?

4. The distance up the hill was 1.2 km, What was my average speed? (km/hr)

Please offer your answers in the comments.

These questions demonstrate just one example of how numeracy is buried within sports and PE. So, I cannot quite understand why the Ministry if Education sees numeracy and PE as alternatives in its latest pronouncements.

It seems to me, that contrary to the Ministry's stance, the Arts, Science and PE offer rich contexts for the development of reading writing and maths "skills".

After all, one has to read something, one has to write something, and in the end maths that can't be applied in life and work is fairly pointless.

So, why not let the youngsters develop these skills in contexts that really interest them?

And of course they must run up the hill first - whooops there goes the obesity problem!