A few weeks ago, during our Athletics Carnival I had a little conversation with a group of boys just before starting a race. They were very nervous to run, with some asking if they could drop out of the race. When I asked them why, they were too scared of coming last or falling over. I tried telling the boys that it didn’t matter where they came in the race as long as they had a go. All that mattered was that they participated because any runner would always get points for their faction/team, and it could make the difference between winning the carnival or coming second.
Often, I talk to the students about being good sports, (especially when on duty on the oval), and what it looks like. As a youngster myself, I was a competitive person, growing up with sport being a huge part of my life. However, the one thing that I was always told, was to try your hardest, give your best effort, and let the results take care of themselves. When we would win games, we were obviously happy, however, losses were never seen as losses but more as a learning.
As I then became a father and watching my own children play their sport this was something I would talk to them about - I never cared about the results of games but focused more on how hard they tried and how they would try to better themselves in each game. This coupled with being a good sport - makes sport far more fun for anyone!
Being a good sport is the responsibility, not only of the players and their coaches or teachers, but also of those who come to watch and support. (Unfortunately, we don’t really see this too much now days!) The players or participants should be encouraged to engage in friendly rivalry that is marked by fair play. The activities should offer the opportunity for positive learning experiences that are associated with the values of dignity, equality, fairness and respect. This is one thing I love about athletics carnivals and the children at Emmaus Catholic Primary School. Often you will see the cheering and supportive behaviour encouraging the students no matter how well they are doing or where they are finishing.
We should be encouraging our children to take to the field to play with other children, to have fun and enjoy doing what they can do best in the best possible way. If the other team is better than our team, we should congratulate them for being so; and if our team comes out on top, we should thank the other team for bringing out the best in us. Basically, what we are talking about is, good sportsmanship, which should really start with us all.
From my passage above there is no better example of good sportsmanship and trying your best, than our Interschool Athletics team who represented our school so proudly today.
Unfortunately, due to staff interviews and budget meetings I was not able to attend. However, from all accounts from the staff that attended the students performed to the best of their abilities and were superb. Their sportsmanship was outstanding.
Congratulations and thank you to the whole athletics team. We are so proud of you!
Many thanks to Mrs Bol for preparing the squad and to Mrs Perrella, Miss Cameron and Ms Glasson for supervising and assisting at the carnival.
Our Pre-Kindergarten classes will have their photos taken on:
Thursday class = Thursday 10 October
Friday class = Friday 11 October
- Each student will have their photo taken even if parents do not order photos.
- All parents of students in Pre-Kindergarten (3K) will receive an order sheet via email with instructions on how to order photos and what type of photo packs are available. Each student will be given a unique Student Shoot Key, this is required when ordering photos.
- The expiry date for ordering photos will be advised closer to the photo day.
We are so fortunate to have an amazing relationship with the Swan Valley Memory Cafe and our students across the grades have enjoyed many interactive experiences with those living with Dementia when they visit our school.
Dementia Australia have heard about our wonderful work in this space and recently came along to record the students in action with our Memory Cafe friends. This short video will be used on their website and for promotional purposes this week, Dementia Awareness Week, 16 - 22 September. Take a look! Emmaus and Swan Valley Memory Cafe Video
Do you have a family member or friend that live in the City of Swan who is blind or has low vision? Read on:
Bumpons make our bins accessible
The City of Swan is proud to offer free tactile indicators for kerb side bins to community members with vision impairment.
The indictors, commonly known as bumpons, stick to the lids of each bin to help identify them, making it easier to sort waste.
Community members can request a free pack containing ten bumpons and use them to set up a system that works for them.
For example, you might choose to stick one bumpon to your red-lid general waste bin, two to your yellow-lid recycling bin and three to your lime green-lid FOGO bin.
They can also be used on the kitchen caddy as required.
Introducing bumpons in just one of the ways the City of Swan are working to create an accessible and inclusive environment where all community members can thrive.
If you would like to request a pack of bumpons, please contact the City of Swan on 9267 9267 or email swan@swan.wa.gov.au
