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Nord Anglia

31 October, 2025

Embracing the Dubai Fitness Challenge: SISD’s 30x30 Challenge 2025

Dubai Fitness Challenge

Every year for the month of November, our city of Dubai transforms into one big open-air gym. The Dubai Fitness Challenge, or the 30x30 Challenge as many know it, is a very simple yet very powerful idea – 30 minutes of physical activity every day for 30 days.

Since its inception in 2017, the 30x30 has grown year after year to a true city-wide movement and is certainly something to be celebrated. No matter your age or fitness level, the Dubai Fitness Challenge is designed to get everyone doing something so many of us forget is vital – and that’s to get moving.

We love it because it’s inclusive, it helps to build healthy habits and it brings us together. These are all key parts of what studying at SISD is all about, so we like to celebrate the event by weaving it into everything we do.

This year, we held a host of events and initiatives to get our students (and their families!) moving – let’s take a look back at SISD’s Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025.

SISD and the 30x30 Challenge

The 30x30 Challenge is an extension of what we celebrate at SISD every day. Whether it’s through outdoor play or our sport programmes, physical activity and wellness are key parts of our philosophy.

But the challenge isn’t just about the physical activities themselves, it’s about what they offer our students. As well as the numerous educational benefits of staying active, it’s the chance to come together with fellow students, teachers and families help to reinforce the importance of community and spending time together.

What We Did at SISD During the 30x30 Challenge

During the month we followed a calendar of active events to celebrate the 30x30 Challenge, here’s a look at what we got up to.

Monday Morning Move-It

Every Monday morning our students took part in Wake and Shake lessons, led by their class teachers. We found starting our days with movement and energy set the tone for a positive, productive day.

Wednesday Walkathons

Our Wednesday mornings would start with a walk around the school track, which both parents and students were welcome to join. This was a simple but meaningful way to move together and talk about the day to come.

Friday Fitness Fun

On Fridays we would get together for a burst of physical activity, one of our favourite moments of the week. Friday Fitness Fun was all about teamwork and shared achievement but, most importantly, fun.

Skip-Athons

Throughout the month we hosted skip-athons for our younger learners (from KG2 to G5), which are exactly how they sound! Skipping is a great way to develop co-ordination and stamina, and it’s a lot of fun too.

Sports Days

Our Sports Days were a fan favourite during the 30x30 Challenge. Our students took part in friendly inter-house matches and technical skill challenges which offered a great way to work out some competitive energy and have fun with friends.

Swimming House Competition

Stepping away from the grass and into the water, we hosted a swimming house competition where our students could test their aquatic skills in a team effort against the other houses. On a hot Dubai day, these are especially welcomed!

Well Fest Closing Ceremony

On the last Friday of the month, we wrapped up the Dubai Fitness Challenge with a closing ceremony to celebrate our collective effort and reflect on what the month has taught us about health and togetherness.

A Month of Celebration, a Lifetime of Wellness

Our use of the International Baccalaureate curriculum and focus on holistic education means academic excellence is just one part of what life at SISD is about. Our approach recognises each student as a whole human being with intellectual, emotional, physical and social dimensions – and regular physical activity is a big part of that.

While the 30x30 Challenge ends as December arrives, the habits our students have built throughout the month can last a lifetime. But it’s not just about our students – their families and members of the SISD team participated in our Dubai Fitness Challenge events too, helping to spread the importance of regular physical activity to as much of our community as possible.

Why This Matters as a Parent

When you’re looking for the perfect school for your child, academics are always important but what’s more important is the development of your child as a whole person. Whether it’s health and fitness or cognitive and social development, these lessons stay with our students long after they leave the classroom.

With citywide events like the Dubai Fitness Challenge, free classes and even fitness villages spread throughout the city, Dubai is the perfect place to call home for a well-rounded, globally-minded individual.

Interested in finding out more about a holistic, active education at SISD? Contact us to learn more.

As a parent, when it comes to choosing the right place for your child’s education, the priorities are clear. Your child deserves academic excellence, personal growth, wellbeing support and a learning environment which makes all of this possible.

Whilst grades and qualifications are the focus for many, one factor which sometimes flies under the radar is the importance of physical activity in schools. You might be surprised to learn just how tight a connection there is between exercise and learning, but at SISD it’s something we place great importance on.

In this blog, we’ll look into why movement matters for students and how we embed this into our culture, making SISD a great choice for families who want a real holistic education for their children.

Why Physical Activity Matters for Students

Enhanced Cognitive Performance

Research shows students who have higher levels of physical activity tend to perform better when it comes to cognitive exercises, including things like memory, information retention and flexible thinking.

One study showed that children with higher levels of aerobic fitness exhibited superior academic performance over the course of a year, not just in terms of quality but also speed.

Another, which looked at pre-school age children, showed links between stronger cognitive function and respiratory fitness. Those who could walk further in a timed test also outperformed their peers in tests for brain function.

The research continues to stack up, including another study from the University of Tsukuba, making the findings clear – better physical health equals better cognitive performance! This means that the link between exercise and learning is not an anecdotal one, it’s one backed by multiple studies which show the importance of exercise in any quality, holistic curriculum.

Better Academic Outcomes and Engagement

When it comes to academic excellence, there is more to the equation than just pure cognition. A student’s ability to concentrate for extended periods, avoid distractions and process information more quickly can all contribute to vastly improved performance.

Exercise is also shown to be beneficial here, with studies showing that at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise led to significant improvements in young students’ abilities to focus and switch between cognitive tasks.

Regardless of intellect, if a student struggles to focus and stay free from distractions, performing well in an academic environment can be a challenge. As such, regular physical activity can help a student to achieve what they are capable of, whether that comes in the form of academic success or more active engagement.

Improved Student Wellbeing

Stepping away from academics for a moment, it’s no secret that regular physical activity is one of the most important parts of a happy, healthy life. At SISD, making this happen is always our biggest focus.

Better mood regulation, increased quality of sleep, more effective stress management and improved self-esteem are all hallmarks of an active, engaged young person. Not to mention that exercise is a fantastic way to burn some excess energy and help students to focus better in the classroom!

Building Lifelong Habits

School is a formative experience for any child and one where habits are formed for life. The importance of setting students up with the foundations to lead a healthy life can’t be understated, which is why it is crucial to find a school which gives your child everything they need.

Physical activity can both improve their school performance and benefit them after they leave the classroom, for years to come. It’s not just a ‘nice-to-have’, it’s a core part of preparing them for life.

Why SISD is the Right Choice for Activity and Academics

A Movement-Centric Culture

At SISD, we know that academic achievement and physical wellbeing go hand-in-hand. It’s built into the student experience, whether that’s in the form of structured physical education (PE), outdoor play, team sports or movement-based learning exercises.

Our physical activity offering is a comprehensive one and, we’d dare to say, one of the things our students love most about life at SISD.

A Curriculum Built to Support Active Learners

For primary years, our students benefit from specialist PE teachers who deliver a wide range of sports (from swimming to gymnastics) in order to give a well-rounded perspective of the different forms of physical activity. We also host regular outdoor sessions in our purpose-designed facilities.

In secondary years, the options expand even further. Competitive sports, clubs and fitness programs are available to all students, allowing them more opportunities to enjoy the physical activities they are most passionate about.

Throughout their SISD journey, students recognise that physical activity is a lot more than just a slot in their timetable. It’s a huge part of their educational journey, one which allows them to develop skills, work as part of a team and stimulate their mind and body at the same time.

Our Facilities and Environment

With these ambitions in mind, our campus was carefully designed to provide everything students might need for an active, engaging life at SISD.

Our campus has modern sports halls, fitness studios, swimming pools and outdoor fields and spaces – giving students more than a few ways to get active on any given day. We recognize that not every student enjoys the same activities or sports, so our facilities are built to encourage a wide range of options.

A Holistic Approach to Learning

Whether it’s academic performance, physical activity, emotional intelligence or critical thinking, the SISD curriculum is designed to promote holistic development in every student. When you choose SISD, you choose a school which cares about building a positive framework for life, not just grades.

Active Learning For Life

When you’re making a decision as important as where your child should go to school, it’s important to remember that what happens outside the classroom is just as important as what happens inside it. Regular, intentional physical activity supports more effective learning and cognitive ability, as well as overall wellbeing and happiness.

At SISD, and in any walk of life, movement is what keeps us going and helps us to thrive. We would love to welcome you and your family to our campus to discuss how your child can grow with us. Just reach out to our admissions team to book a tour or apply to join us.

Interested in finding out more about a holistic, active education at SISD? Contact us to learn more.

Values and Approaches