2023 has been a big year of sports for Windang Public School. We want to congratulate all our athletes who competed at the school, district, regional and state levels this year. We are so proud to have such beautiful students participate and represent our school in a wide variety of sports.

2023 Sport Celebrations

Sports Awards 2023

A special mention to the following students who were the recipients of our Sports Awards for 2023 and were recognised at our School's Excellence Assembly in Week 9.

School Sport

We are so lucky we receive grant money to pay for wonderful sporting opportunities - check out the ones we experienced this year:

Term 1 - AFL

Term 2 - Tennis 3-6

Sport Rotations K-2

Term 3 - Motiv8 and Mini Roos

Term 4 - Netball

AFL program

We were so lucky to have 2 lovely specialised AFL teachers come in and teach us catching and throwing as well as how the game of AFL works. This program ran for 3 weeks over all 8 classes K-6. Students showed teamwork and excellent sportsmanship when faced with the different ball activities - some more trickier than others.

Tennis

In Term 2 our Year 3-6 students attended tennis lessons each Friday with Tom, a local tennis instructor. The students completed a guided lesson with expert coaches at our local courts. The students have shown great improvements and have really enjoyed getting out into our community.

Mini Roos

Mini Roos ran in Term 3 and the start of Term 4 focusing on ball skills as well as teamwork and determination. 8 students participated every Friday before school for 6 weeks. We had such a great time and we could see so much improvement in basic kicking and shooting skills at the end of the 6 weeks.

Motiv8 Sport

This term Alex and the team from Motiv8 ran after-school sessions for our students in Term 2 and 4. They offer a variety of unique sports and activities in a super engaging format. The feedback from students and families has been very positive. We were also lucky enough to welcome Motiv8 Sport in Term 3, with Alex and his team running a 30-minute session for each class on Fridays as a part of our school sports sessions.

Netball

In Term 4 we had the wonderful Kate from Netball NSW work with all our classes to learn all things netball. We focussed on the fundamental skills and then began to learn the rules of the game. All students showed wonderful improvement over the 6 weeks!

Sea Surf

All students in Years 3-6 were invited to attend a SEA Surf Education and Surf Skills Day at Windang Beach on Wednesday 13 December.

It was a wonderful day with lots of laughs and learning!

The program included:

• Learning about water safety

• Rip education & identification and survival by demonstration

• Still water assessment and basic aquatic survival skills

• Paddling a foam surfboard and catching waves

• Surf negotiation and body surfing

Soccer World Cup

This Term we held the Windang Junior and Senior Soccer World Cup. We had 5 teams from Years 3-6 and 4 teams from Kindergarten-Year 2 enter and battle it out across a series of lunchtimes for a spot in the grand final. The grand final was held on Thursday 14 December. It was a thrilling morning with nail biting moments. The atmosphere was electric as our students battled it out on the field.

In the junior division, it was a clash of the titans as Italy took on Argentina. Both teams displayed exceptional teamwork and sportsmanship, but in the end, Italy emerged victorious, securing the coveted cup! Congratulations to our young Italian champions for their outstanding performance and dedication throughout the tournament. You should all be incredibly proud of yourselves!

Meanwhile, in the senior division, the tension was palpable as Switzerland faced off against Germany. The match was intense, with both teams showcasing their immense talent and determination. After a hard-fought battle, Switzerland emerged as the winners, claiming the championship title! A huge round of applause for our senior Swiss team for their incredible efforts and for bringing home the cup!

Sports Carnivals

Swimming

The 2023 Swimming Carnival was held at the end of 2022 at the Oak Flats Swimming Pool. There were over 20 students who progressed to the District Carnival which was held at the beginning of Term 1. Well done to Beckham Lulia who progressed to the South Coast Regional Carnival and placed 3rd in 50m Breaststroke meaning he moved to the State Carnival. Well done Beckham!

Cross Country

In Term 1 we held our Cross Country carnival, with all students Kindergarten-Year 6 participating in a range of rotations along with their assigned race. 55 students progressed to the Mid-South District Cross Country Carnival which was held in Term 2. Our school was awarded the "Challenge Cup" for being the highest-scoring small school in the Mid-South District.

A special mention to Beckham Lulia and Fleur Burke who placed 1st and 2nd respectively and earned themselves a place at the South Coast Regional Carnival which was held in Cambewarra on June 8. They both did extremely well with Beckham placing 19th and Fleur placing 10th. Congratulations to them both!

Athletics

In Term 2, we hosted our Athletics carnival at John Dwyer Oval with a great day had by all. District Athletics was held in Week 3, Term 3 and we had 35 students attend representing Windang Public School. Fleur Burke progressed through to the Regional and then State Carnival for 1500m. Well done Fleur, we are so proud of you!

Gala Days

This year we entered teams in a variety of gala days; open girls netball, boys NRL and girls oz tag, boys and girls soccer, and boys touch football.

Soccer - Windang entered a boys and girls team in the knockout gala day. Both teams played 3 games on the day and the boys came away with one draw and one win. The boys faced some tough weather conditions but this did not deter them!

Netball - 10 of our girls attended a Netball Gala day as a part of the NSW PSSA Knockout Competition. A mammoth effort was displayed by all the girls on the day with most of the girls playing for the first time on the day. Well done girls!

Touch Football - 13 of our boys attended the NSW PSSA Touch Knockout Gala Day at Thomas Dalton Park in Fairy Meadow. The boys had a wonderful day and maintained a positive attitude despite some challenging games. Well done boys!

NRL - 25 students participated in an NRL gala day where we entered 2 boys teams; a Years 3/4 and 5/6 for Rugby League and a Years 5/6 girls team for Oz Tag. All teams played 3 games and showed excellent teamwork and determination.

PSSA Trials and Teams

At the beginning of Term 1 many students participated in our Southern Illawarra Zone PSSA trials, in the hope to be selected for the representative team. Students could trial for sports such as: Rugby Union, Tennis, Soccer, Netball and Touch.

Special congratulations to: Beckham Lulia, Axel Diomei and Will Shacklock for progressing to be a part of the Southern Illawarra Zone representative team for Rugby Union in 2023.

Other Sporting Success

Koa, our gifted and talented School Captain accepting a place in The Australian Ballet workshop with The Arts Unit
Romeo, Hunter, Lexin, Jacob & Angus reaching the U/12 Football grand final with their teammates from the Warilla Wanderers
Owen & Lachie winning their Tennis grand final

Staff Netball

Some of our fabulous teachers also got into the sporting action this year. 10 of our teachers joined together to create the Windang Mermaids and competed in a Tuesday night competition at the University of Wollongong. A lot of fun was had by all!

Sport 2024 - Looking Forward

Our team has already begun planning for Sport 2024 and we are very excited about the opportunities coming up for our students.

· The Mid South PSSA Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday February 23 2024 at Oak Flats Swimming Pool, 8:30am-3.00pm. Competitors with the two fastest times will progress to District.

· We are working closely with the team from Fit Futures who will be providing a Kindergarten-Year 6 Athletics Program teaching correct, safe track and field techniques every Friday during Term 1 - starting Friday 16 February 2024.

· PSSA Trial Teams - Our school is a member of the Mid South District Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA). Students will be invited to trial for a PSSA team at the beginning of Term 1 for summer PSSA and the end of Term 1 for winter (Terms 2 and 3) competitions.

· Netball Trials - Friday 9 February 2024 - Year 5 and 6 Girls are invited to trial for the school netball team. Players that are selected will participate in the PSSA Gala Day and Knockout Netball Competition in Term 2.

· Sporting opportunities for Students with a Disability, Kindergarten-Year 6

"Come and Try Athletics" at Beaton Park 12 March 2024.

Events: 50m, 100m, 200m, Shot Put, Long Jump, Discus and Javelin.

Cost: $5.00 per student

Time: 9:30am- 2.00pm

Registrations open February 1, via Windang Public School Office on

42951 852 or windang-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

It has been an absolute pleasure to see so many of our students succeed in their chosen sports this year but most of all display quality sportsmanship and strengthen their relationships with peers whilst living active lifestyles.

Well done Windang, we cannot wait for 2024!

Sports Organisers

Miss Hawkins & Miss Rogers

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