The NIS traversing wall, now open for (monkey) business.

It seems to have taken a loooong time, but the traversing wall is, at last, fully functioning. Remember the wall is designed for climbing along, not up. The kids are engaging all four limbs and both sides of their brain. They are working on upper body strength, balance, co-ordination, decision making, problem solving, and creativity, and they are getting out of breath, too! Not to mention building confidence. It's a workout for mind, body and soul! Great academic crossover too- practicing climbing will make them better readers.

Some features of the climbing wall for parents and students to think about:

1. No climber can ever get their feet more than 60cm from the ground. When they want to stop or don't feel comfortable, they just step down.

2. There is a 60cm void between the highest foothold and the lowest handhold. Look at the photos and you will see what I mean. This design stops climbers from climbing up high on the wall.

3. There are a lot of holds for hands and feet. The holds are in many different colors and an amazing range of shapes. Students from Grade 1 to Grade 6 can climb. We have not tried to make the wall 'hard' or 'easy' by varying the number of holds. There are holds everywhere.

4. As students progress, and need increasing challenge, they can push themselves to make moves only on certain colors or shape of hold. They can try to set up new routes. They can try to cover a set distance faster, or in the opposite direction. They can try to climb further along the wall than last time. The level of challenge is totally up to the climbers. The traversing wall is all about imagination, creativity, and confidence.

Update: I had forgotten Miss Chan had taken this photo of Warren, Ewan and I working on the traverse wall panels, laid out on the chapel floor.