Co-curricular - Junior Sport Stage 3

Junior Sport Update

After much anticipation and with a very short turn around, the Junior School (Stage 3) took to the fields for the first of a number of Winter Sport Trials. It was great to see so many boys out on the fields displaying their skills. As always, our focus is to get the boys playing and give them as much time as possible to show their skills. Not an easy task with some 400 boys participating across AFL, Football and Rugby. While we had a great set up for our first trial and a number of coaches available, we identified two main learnings on how we can improve upon the trial sessions from last Monday afternoon. 

Firstly, with the Football trials, it was evident that limited space available was not suited to having all out teams out at once. While there is enough room for the boys to showcase their skills in small games, our coaches are stretched too far to see everyone effectively. To combat this, there will be changes made to the timing of trials on Saturday 6 April for Football. Each group will be given an individual hour to trial. This will allow for larger spaces to play and allow the coaches to be more centralised to the play. Times for the trials on Saturday 6 April will be confirmed via the College App after Easter. 

Secondly, many boys have recently indicated that they have had a change of mind about the sports they would like to play. All requests to change a Co-curricular option must be directed to me in writing from a parent/carer.   

One of the primary concerns from the College’s position is how such a request would impact the numbers in an age group for a particular sport. You may be aware that we have already committed to a number of teams in the IPSHA competition based on students’ selections, with the College advising opposing schools, hiring the required field spaces and now in the process of appointing coaches. It is for these reasons that parents/carers and students are advised on the Co-curricular Selection Letter/Form that “when boys indicate they are going to participate in an activity, they are making a binding commitment.”  

The reality is that in some age groups, two or three boys dropping out may result in a whole team being withdrawn which then presents numerous other problems/concerns.

As the Summer season is now behind us, some students may find themselves in possession of College equipment, namely in the form of match balls, this may also extend to protective equipment and sport kits. If you are still in possession of any College equipment from the Summer season, please make sure it is returned before the Term 1 school break. 

Over the past week, there has also been some confusion with the information sent out on the College App regarding Co-curricular activities. As a rule, anything that comes from me regarding College Co-curricular activities will begin with “Junior School………….” And then the topic in the subject line. If this is not present in the title, it is most likely not for the Junior School. This may help in the discernment of information that comes your way regarding Co-curricular. I want to remind parents/carers to ensure that they read entire messages if these are sent via the SPC App in order to make an informed decision. 

I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Easter and look forward to seeing all the boys back at school for the final dash to end Term 1. 

John Locke 

Head of Co-curricular - Stage 3