Co-curricular - Junior Sport

Junior Sport

It was such a great feeling to get Round 1 of the Summer Sport season done. After a swift build up and the whirlwind of trials, the start of the season proper hopefully brings some routine to the week. Training has kicked off this week and coaches so far have been impressed with the boys’ attitude and efforts across the sports. We also look forward to the beginning of the Summer Skills program this weekend, a new initiative at the College. It has been great to see the amount of interest it has generated.

Last Wednesday, the Junior School travelled to Wentworthville Swimming Centre for the annual Junior House Swimming Carnival. In very hot conditions, the boys thrashed and splashed down the pool and gave their all. While not everyone is able to win a ribbon in their races, it is the boys’ commitment and team spirit that form the lasting memories and do the most for their House. Congratulations to Hickey House for winning the Carnival overall. I would like to thank the boys for their good behaviour and the parents/carers for all their support on the day. A special thank you to all the Junior School staff. Without you we would not have had a carnival or experienced the smooth success that it was. Under hot and uncomfortable conditions, you went above and beyond, and I would personally like to thank you for all your hard work on the day.

A note for parents/carers and boys about using Team App and the Junior School fixtures page: in the documents section you will have seen the draft of the full draw for the season. This is placed in the documents section to help families with future planning and making allowances for Saturday sport. This draw was set in November 2021 by all the sport coordinators across the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA) Schools. Since the release of the draw last November, there are several new factors that need to be accounted for that could not have been foreseen in 2021. As such, some small modifications are made weekly to the draws. I ask all parents/carers and boys to view the Junior Fixtures and Cancellations page to get their weekly draw information. This section contains the most up-to-date information with all the changes that have been made. This is the same information presented weekly in each classroom.  Checking this information will ensure there is no confusion of times and locations each week.

This week I have called for boys in Year 6 to nominate to trial for the Armidale Rugby Tour and the Brisbane Football Tour. Boys wishing to trial for Armidale will need to be at school each Thursday morning from 7:30 AM, beginning on 24 February. This time slot will remain the same for the remainder of Term 1 and move from trials to training. This year we are only able to send one team and will be selecting a squad of 20 boys. The aim is to select quickly and fairly, to allow families time to find accommodation in/around Armidale. Boys will need to bring boots, mouth guard and a jersey. Thursday morning trials and training will occur on the back ovals. Please meet in Powell Pavilion each Thursday morning.

Boys in Year 6 wishing to trial for the Brisbane Football Tour will be asked to nominate this week as well. This year we will take a squad of 24 players (two teams of 12) to the EREA Football Tournament to be held at St Joseph’s College, Nudgee. Boys will be required each Tuesday morning from 7:30 AM for trials and training, beginning on 22 February. These trials will also be used to select boys to go to IPSHA Football trials later this term. The aim will be to select the squad quickly and fairly to allow families time to prepare, should they wish to travel for the competition. Boys will need boots and shinpads for trials and training which will occur on the back ovals. Please meet in the Powell Pavilion each Tuesday morning.

John Locke

Junior School Coordinator of Co-curricular