VET Sport and Recreation Sports Days at Miners Rest and Ballarat North Primary Schools

Our Year 10 cohort of VET Sport and Recreation Students have been busy in their theory studies for their Certificate III in Sport and Recreation.

A lot of time has been spent in a module of "Providing Instruction", so heading back into the community was a perfect fit!

It is paramount that students have exposure to the wider community and potential instructional model they may use in the future. We have partnered with Ballarat North and Miners Rest Primary Schools to help with their Athletics Carnivals.

We had some great feedback from parents and staff and look forward to going back in 2024!

BHS Specialist Sport Friendly Vs Phoenix College

Our Year 9–11 Specialist Sport students took on Phoenix College Sports Academy in a friendly competition in our Netball and Basketball disciplines. Both teams saw great success, not only in results, but also in having fun playing against teams from a similar program, working together in mixed teams and demonstrating School Values. Well done everyone!

Specialist Sport Training Programs

Term 2 and 3 saw our student athletes take on their Specialised Sports for Years 9–11. They displayed Pride, Respect and Responsibility during their time in the community and each group had a positive experience with their own Coaches. A big thanks goes out to the providers below for their support for 2023. We need to also mention our wonderful Soccer Coach James who travelled weekly up to Ballarat in order to influence change in our soccer players. Lastly, a big shout out to Ashley Baker, Kerry Lightfoot and Amanda Hook for their contributions as Coaches for 2023 in Football, Netball and Swimming, you are amazing!!

VET Sport and Recreation Events

Term 2, 3 and 4 have and will see our student athletes participate in multiple exclusive events that are only relative to the Specialist Sport program. These have included:

1. A wonderful and raw Q & A with former student Andy Anderson.

Andy opened up about some of his vulnerable experiences of being connected to youth suicide when he was younger and all the way through to amazing experiences like having his own TV show and becoming a Pro-Body Builder. Life after school was one of Andy’s main messages which gave students a different perspective to the mainstream options.

2. Year 10 and 11 students will participate in an event in Week 5 called WheelTalk.

WheelTalk is an engaging and interactive program that promotes diversity, acceptance and disability, placing a primary focus on inclusion. Presented by Victorians with a Disability who are actively involved in sport and recreation. WheelTalk combines unique stories of lived disability with the opportunity to play up to an hour of Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby or Wheelchair AFL.

Athlete Spotlight 2023

We have had many athlete success stories this year from all year levels, both representing the school and outside of school in their selected sports. Here are a few examples of stories and accomplishments that have been shared with us:

Jessica Dawe - Year 8 Junior Specialist Sport. Jess has been selected for the U14 Ballarat Football League girls' team that played Bendigo with the team winning. Jess was selected U15 GWV Rebels V-Line Cup team that played in Shepparton in the last school holidays. She played two games and was named best on ground in both games. Well done Jess!

Denver Minster - Year 7 Junior Specialist Sport. Denver was given an early offer to join the elite Melbourne Victory Soccer Academy 14s team in 2024. This is through invitation only. Denver also placed 2nd in 800m and 3rd in 400m at state athletics. Great work Denver and we wish you all the best in your successful future!

Myah Johnston - Year 7 Junior Specialist Sport. On Sunday 15th October, Myah competed against 81 girls in her division at the Victorian State gymnastics championships. She did extremely well and placed 6th on vault and 10th on bars. Well done Myah!!

Jacob Hutchinson - Year 9 Specialist Sport. Jacob has had success by being named in squad basketball with the Ballarat Miners and has also made the GWR Rebels for the V-Line Cup. Well done Jacob!!

Scott Peart - Year 11 Specialist Sport

Following a very successful 2022-2023 Australian Racewalking Program, Scott has received an invitation to the 2024 National Racewalking Training Camp in Perisher Valley, NSW from the 3rd to 24th January 2024. This camp is at an altitude of 1720 metres.

The purpose of the camp is the opportunity for selected U20 & Open Australian racewalkers and invited International World-ranked racewalkers, to participate in a formal group camp focusing on broadening the pathway opportunities and the participation base of athletes competing at 20km events.

As Scott (17 years old) is now classed in the U20 age group, his new race distance will be 10km for two years. In 2024 Scott has the opportunity to be selected in the U20 World Athletic Racewalking Team Championship in Turkey and other U20 competitions overseas. He is facing extremely tough competition in the current U20 age group.

In the next two years Scott will start competing in the 20km events in readiness for the Open 20km distance. Fantastic effort Scott!

Aria Violini - Year 7 Junior Specialist Sport. Aria competed for Nationals in Cross Country and has been a standout in all school competitions across multiple distances. Well done Aria!

Jacob Borner

Specialist Sports Co-ordinator

Ballarat High School Newsletter

Issue 16 · 27 Oct 2023

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