Education – Life beyond the screen

In a rapidly digitising world, the importance of a holistic, physical upbringing has never been more critical. At a recent community event hosted at Ōrewa College, “What’s on Their Screens?”, we gathered parents, caregivers, and community leaders to explore the growing impact of device use and online behaviours on our rangatahi (youth). The goal was not just to raise awareness of digital harm but to present meaningful, proactive alternatives. One quote shared during the evening deeply resonated with many: “We have overprotected our children offline, and underprotected them online.”

This reality is prompting a necessary shift, a return to grounding our young people in the physical world. At the heart of this shift lies sport and extracurricular activity. Sport NZ recently released a report highlighting a direct connection between physical activity and improved academic engagement, mental wellbeing, and school retention. The findings reinforce what many educators and whānau have long observed: ‘When young people move more, they thrive more.’

Sport is not just about fitness or competition, it is a driver of life readiness. Across schools we see firsthand how sport teaches resilience, discipline, teamwork, leadership, and the ability to navigate adversity. These are the qualities that build strong, responsible, socially connected young adults. 

Over the past month, I’ve watched our students shine across sporting fields, performances at ShowQuest, and cultural stages at Matariki. What stood out more than any result or performance was the connection, the powerful relationship between teachers and students, student mentors and learners. When students are guided, challenged, and supported in this space, they are not just learning, they are developing the ability to work together with purpose and cohesion.

Too often, we see extracurricular activity as “extra.” But in truth, it is essential. In sport, young people find a pathway towards purpose, connection and mastery, a place to solve real-life problems, and a platform to express their identity in a positive, embodied way.

As we enter the middle of the winter sports season, let’s not just focus on scores or selections. Let’s recognise that every training session, every game, every sideline conversation is part of a greater movement, towards a community that prioritises growth, development, connection, and wellbeing.

If we want a healthier, more resilient, cohesive generation, we need to trade screen time for real time – time spent in sport, in movement, and in meaningful connection.