Physical Education News
Greetings, students, parents, and staff! Welcome back to Term 3. Our calendar is packed with a variety of engaging events, including athletics, hoop time, and gymnastics. Our primary focus is still on fostering a sense of enjoyment while encouraging active participation and showcasing individual talents in a supportive and inclusive environment. Whether you are an aspiring athlete or simply keen to explore new sports, this term promises an enriching experience for all. So, let's come together and make this term a big success as we engage in the pursuit of both fun and fitness!
House Skipping Events;
With so many events on this term, it has been decided to move the inaugural House Skipping Event to later in the year. Don’t stop skipping and please, please keep practising - we have just received our very exciting delivery of new ropes so keep an eye out for them at play times!
Jake Reed; Team Vic, Cross Country:
We are thrilled to celebrate Jake Reed's remarkable achievements in cross country
running, which have landed him a coveted spot on the esteemed Victorian Cross Country team. His journey as a young athlete at the state-level has been truly inspiring, proving that his dedication to training has paid off in abundance! Jake's selection to the state Cross Country team is a testament to his unwavering pursuit of excellence and stands as a well-deserved recognition of his athletic prowess. As he gears up to compete at the highest level in Canberra later this year, there is no doubt that Jake will continue to impress, showcasing his exceptional talent and becoming an emblem of sporting achievement for his peers and aspiring athletes throughout the state. We wish Jake the very best in his upcoming endeavours, and we are incredibly proud to have him represent our school and the broader sporting community!
Hoop Time:
This term we are fortunate enough to participate in Hoop Time; a day where all students from Years 3 & 4, and 5 & 6, get to play in a tournament no matter their experience. We strongly believe that participation in sports days like this provides valuable life lessons and helps develop essential skills such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience. By participating in the Hoop Time Basketball tournament, everyone will have the opportunity to enhance their basketball skills, build lasting friendships, and experience the joy of healthy competition. Hoop Time is about more than just winning or losing; it is about fostering a sense of community and encouraging every student to discover their passion for basketball.
Please join me in thanking Mrs Galgani for all of her work organising the Junior Hoop Time on Wednesday this week. There are many many parts of the moving beast that is Hoop Time, and Mrs Galgani, we are lucky to have someone as passionate as you are. From all reports, the day sounded amazing!
Thank you to the Year 5 and 6 students who gave up time in the classroom to coach the Years 3 & 4 students. They guided the juniors so confidently and professionally; I think we might have a few budding PE teachers out there!
Similarly, thank you to the staff who gave up time, lessons and students to allow the day to run. There were lots of changes to dates and arrangements due to many factors out of our control, and everyone was so flexible. What an amazing school community we have here at St Cecilia’s.
We look forward to the Year 5&6 Hoop Time later this term on Tuesday 29th August.
Athletics - Wednesday 6th September
As part of our Physical Education curriculum, all students will be actively engaged in lessons focused on athletics events. These lessons will provide a solid foundation for all students, helping them to develop fundamental skills and techniques required for different track and field events. Lessons will form one aspect of trialling for the district event on Wednesday 6th September. Our aim is to select the strongest team possible to represent our school at the Glen Iris District Carnival.
For those students who wish to take their athletic abilities a step further and compete at the carnival, they will have the opportunity to nominate themselves for selection. Students can choose to be considered for multiple events, but it is important to note that there are restrictions on the number of events each student can compete in; 2 individual, 1 relay.
In the event that there is no clear team selection after the PE lessons, additional trials will be held to ensure a fair and impartial process for all students. We believe that this approach will give every student a fair chance to demonstrate their skills and be considered for the final team. All students will have the opportunity to race and compete at the school House Athletics Carnival in Term 4.
We believe that the District event as well as the end of year House Athletics Carnivals are fantastic occasions for our students to showcase their skills, build resilience, and foster a sense of camaraderie among their peers. We greatly appreciate your support and encouragement as we work together to provide this enriching experience for our students.
Team Vic Elite Pathways:
All information for Team Vic representative teams can be found at https://www.ssv.vic.edu.au/team-vic for others who play at an elite level. Parents must contact both Mrs Aldcroft and Mr McKenna prior to applying online for any trials, providing achievements and teams played in. Please be aware that all applicants must be of an elite/representative team standard currently and be aware the school can only endorse a limited number of participants.
State Cross Country
In follow up news from the State Cross Country Championships, we are extremely excited to share with you all that Jake managed to finish 4th in his race and will now become part of the Victorian squad who will compete at the National Cross Country Championships in Canberra. Congratulations Jake, what an amazing achievement.
Year 3 & 4 Hooptime
On Wednesday all the Year 3 and 4 students competed in the basketball round roubin tournament known as Hooptime. The students represented the school proudly and had a fantastic day. For many of them, this may have been their first experience of formal team basketball and many shown great development in skills and teamwork throughout the day.
For some of our year 5/6 leaders it was also a great opportunity to put into practise their leadership skills as coaches and team managers. Congratulations to our student coaches who encouraged and supported their teams with compassion and enthusiasm throughout the tournament.
Our team were very successful, with two St Cecilia's teams playing off in the Grand Final and one advancing to the a finals day that will be later in the year.
A huge thank you to Mrs Teresa Galgani who goes above an beyond to not only organise the day, but also to prepare the students so that they feel comfortable and ready when the day arrives.