Sporting News

This Thursday the 5th of December, I was lucky enough to travel to Sydney for the CSNSW Sports Coordinators Conference for 2024. The day was extremely insightful and has given me some great ideas for running sport next year and was a productive way to reflect on all things sport at St Joseph’s Barraba from 2024. 

The guest speakers included, Ann-Marie Miranda, the Sport Services Special Projects Manager, who gave a review of the history of representative sport pathways for NSW Catholic school students. Ann-Marie also shared that what is now available will bring us to the present and provided tools for how schools can guide their talented students through the process of representation. 

Ry and Peta Haynes delivered a walk through of the important aspects of coordinating the co-curricular and pathway sports program in a school from a practical experience. It was a very practical session where there was a chance to share and assist one another, network and address issues.  

Dr Andy Mullins spoke about links between character building and school sport; how can our sports programs form a solid base for formation in our students and staff within our Catholic teachings. This session was particularly important, not only in sport, but teaching our students how to live life the best way possible and how these lessons can be facilitated through sport. 

Our final session was how being prepared is the key to a successful selection trial. Phil Tobin has designed a selection process to assist in setting up effective selection events which are transparent and informative for the selectors and the students. We were guided about what best practice looks like and how we can implement that into our own sporting schools’ contexts. In short, the topics for the day included:

• NSWCPS Sport Pathways & amp; Access
• Concussion management in the school context
• Building Skills as a Sports Organiser
• Formation of Character within the school sport context
• How to Organise an Effective Selection Trial and Best Practice
• Fast Track Mindfulness 

The day was extremely well presented and has provided me with the appropriate tools to allow me to improve sport at St Joseph’s Barraba. 

Thank you to Mrs Bearman for providing me with this opportunity.

SWIMMING, SWIMMING, SWIMMING!!!

Our swimming program wraps up next week with our final session on Wednesday the 11th December. 

I am excited to announce that our Annual Swimming Carnival will be held on FRIDAY 14th of FEBRUARY, 2025!!! Block out your calendars, don your house colours and bring your swimmers. One of the best days of the school year and everyone is welcome!!! Parents especially you! The kids love it and its all about making memories together. 

In the lead up to the carnival we will be attending the pool for PE on Wednesday the 5th of February 2025 (First day of school for the kindy kids nothing like getting thrown in the deep end) and Wednesday the 12th of February 2025 in preparation for the carnival.  Watch for the compass events and permissions. 

Sport Wrap Up 2024

Finally, what a year! 2024, my first year as the St Joseph’s Primary Sports coordinator and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity and so proud of all our students. It has been a jam-packed year of sport with our students all achieving many milestones and all willingly participating in a variety of sports and PE programs that has challenged and brought joy to our students. From the small schools’ relay teams, swimming and running in Sydney, to all of year 3/4/5/6 playing at the gala days, to our whole school carnivals with so much team spirit and enthusiasm! It is safe to say that all the students have given sport a good crack this year. 

I also can’t express enough gratitude for all the support from our St Joseph’s School Staff and parent body for making my job so much easier in all that you have done to help run all these events. Good Luck to our Year 6 students who are finishing up their primary sports journeys and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you all in sport. 

Just remember as Gary Player, a South African Golfer, once said…“The harder I work, the luckier I get.” 

So, everyone keep working hard and you never know what may happen. Have a fabulous holiday and we will see you all for another fun year in 2025.