Tribune News Network
AL-KHOR
Nord Anglia International School Al Khor (NAISAK) hosted an exceptional, holistic health event titled ‘Move 2024’—a weeklong festival celebrating movement, wellness, and community spirit. Inspired by her first experience at DanceFest in 2017, PE & Movement Teacher Victoria Hughes expanded the event into a large-scale celebration that united nearly 700 primary students, their families, the Al Khor community, and nine schools from across Qatar.
The week began with students learning a choreographed dance to Space Jam, practicing their moves for a grand finale performance. Each year group showcased its freestyle talents in a ‘dance-off,’ with a clear goal: to synchronise the moves, practice diligently, and present them to the entire school community at the end of the week.
The top performers were recognised for their creativity and skill, setting an exciting tone for the days ahead.
Day 2 featured a range of workshops led by guest instructors, offering over 5,000 minutes of movement activities—from ballet and Irish dance to Brazilian capoeira, football, water polo, STOMP, table tennis, freestyle parkour, and physical theatre. After school hours, teachers and staff joined in the celebration, practicing their skills and bonding through netball, cricket, Latin dance, padel, and Welsh folk dance. NAISAK’s Principal, Jamie Hughes, praised the event as “an incredible celebration of health, fitness, and community”.
On Day 3, parents were invited to participate in a badminton session and attend a wellness talk by Flourishing Minds Clinic, which inspired them to foster healthier family habits.
The session introduced parents to the myriad benefits of physical activity—ranging from reducing stress to fostering body positivity and enhancing overall wellness.
On Day 4, nine schools from the Qatar Private Primary Schools Sports Association (QPPSSA) participated, showcasing a variety of dance styles. The Best Overall Performance award went to a student from Oryx International School. Annabel Lock, a guest judge from Sequences Ballet, expressed her admiration for the students’ talent.
The performances spanned a range of styles, including gymnastics, contemporary dance, musical theatre, jazz, hip-hop, and even the Charleston. The award for Best Freestyle Performance was presented to a student from Doha British School – Ain Khaled, while the Best Overall Performance title was also claimed by a student from Oryx International School.
The event concluded with 700 students performing their Space Jam routine in front of the school community, marking their first major group performance since 2022.
Reflecting on the success, Victoria Hughes shared her excitement: “MOVE ’24 has exceeded all expectations. It’s more than just a dance event — it’s a celebration of community, wellness, and creativity.”
