WHILE it has only been offered to students for the second time this year, the popularity of aerobics at Pakenham Consolidated School is pretty obvious.
If you can picture 25 excited and energetic young girls from grades 3 to 6 decked out in their flouro-highlighted leotards, stockings and stark white trainers clambering to strut their stuff, then you get the idea.
For aerobics co-ordinator and prep teacher Rebecca Knight, the enthusiasm of the students is "simply wonderful''.
She says that at times it can be hard to curb such energy and channel it into a performance, but to date she is just thrilled with the girls' efforts.
"This is an extracurricular activity so all the preparations and training has been done outside of class hours.
"We've had the girls practising their routines at lunchtimes, before school and really whenever possible.''
Rebecca says that to perform at the Aerochallenge in Ringwood last month against many professionally-trained dancers and performers was a wonderful experience.
"Our classes are being offered to the student free, it is not like the girls are being taught by paid coaches, so for them do so well against private schools and gymnastics clubs is fantastic.
"We've been fortunate enough to have some funding donated for costumes from the Pakenham Racing Club and we have also been able to use funds from the schools Talented and Gifted budget.
"The parents were all simply rapt to see their girls perform and to get medals in the competition seeing as many of them had no previous training in aerobics.''
Rebecca, a qualified dance teacher and now a qualified aerobics judge, says interest in the sport has doubled since the school first entered a team in 2007.
She believes the interest grew because many of the students could see how much fun the teams were having.
"None of the girls are really from a dance background so to see them perform, particularly for their peers at a recent full school assembly, is great.
"Aerobics has taught them teamwork, fitness, to be more confident in themselves and to have fun. And they are doing just that. They just seem to have a ball.
"It is so much more than just learning the steps. The girls need to learn about the timing of music and rhythm as well as moving around the stage in formations.''
During competition at the Aerochallenge, held at Aquinas College, the 25 students performed in six teams, either trios or groups of four.
Pakenham Consolidated School was awarded medals in the Junior Trio, Junior Group and Junior Individual categories.
Trio 'Pakky Magic', made up of grade 5 pupils Emma, Jess and Brooke, took second place for the junior trio category, with Jess also taking out second place in the individual category.
"The look on their faces was just priceless. Many of them simply didn't have the confidence in the past but this has given them a great confidence boost,'' says Rebecca.
Pakenham Consolidated School will now take part in the Victorian Aeroschools Championships held on August 1 at Melbourne Girls College.
"I guess the opportunity is there now, and we have already done well in one competition, so we are hopeful,'' says Rebecca.
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