Primary Sport
Division and Region Cross- Country
During the latter part of the term, some of our young athletes had magnificently earned the right to represent themselves, and PVCC, at Division, and Region, cross-country.
On the 1st June, Mila C (9/10 girls), Amie P (11 girls), and Jackson W (11 boys), having finished in the top 10 of their age groups at District cross country, headed to Bundoora Park for Division cross country. Each young athlete ran bravely with Mila, who had not fully recovered from a bad cold the week before, finishing 14th, and Jackson finishing 22nd, in their age groups. Both these young people show some real talent with middle distance running and will be better for the experience; they’ll look forward to preparing for 2024 cross-country running.
In an amazing individual effort, Amie finished 4th within her age group at Division cross-country, and earned progression to Region cross-country.
Region cross country was held at Kilmore Racing Club on the 14th of June; any student who makes a Region sporting event is clearly a very capable young athlete so Amie’s qualification for this event, and via such a high placed finish at Division, is testament to her middle-distance running capability, and tenacity. Amie’s event was held over 3km and in a field of 60 runners, Amie bravely finished 41st. In cross-country running, a placing doesn’t always tell the full story. To provide context, the girl who came first in Amie’s event is an incredible runner and finished 1m:33secs in front of the second placed girl; incidentally, the first placed girl is in our District, and Division, so Amie had already had to run against her twice previously. However, the time gap between the second placed athlete and Amie was just on two minutes, so realistically, within 500 metres, thirty-nine other young athletes all crossed the finish line demonstrating that in cross-country running, results are often closer than a placing may suggest. Amie will now, also, look forward to all that is possible with cross country running in 2024 – well done, Amie, for your magnificent effort, and result, at the Region event.
** Cross-country running, otherwise known as middle distance running, is a wonderful sport. It is inexpensive, and suitable to all ambulant children. I encourage all PVCC primary students to begin the middle-distance running journey now, in readiness for the 2024 cross country, and athletics, opportunities through school. Local Little Athletics clubs have coaching available for children however, simply getting out for long walks, and jogging, will build strength in muscles, will allow children to develop deep breathing, and will build stamina. Several PVCC primary students spent time, with the support of their parents, building a strong running base in readiness for the 2023 events and I acknowledge them for their dedication and persistence. Middle distance running is healthy, and there are extended benefits with learning, sleeping, and overall well-being.
Jump Rope for Heart
PVCC’s Primary students’ participation in the formal Jump Rope for Heart program, for 2023, has ended.
Skipping has been a popular physical activity, during Term 2, with students skipping during small activity breaks with their classmates, borrowing skipping ropes from the Sports and Recreation Shed, and skipping during PE and Sport sessions. Our participation in the program culminated with a short skipping showcase at our end of term assembly.
The following text comes directly from a communication I received from our Jump Rope for Heart coordinator, Monique Luff:
“On behalf of the National Heart Foundation and the Jump Rope for Heart team, I would like to thank you, your staff, and students for all for your hard work this term; encouraging fundraising, skipping and keeping your student's hearts healthy. Our school raised a total of $3,515.42 and logged a total of 35 hours and 17 minutes, which is amazing. Thank you so much for promoting the program throughout the school and encouraging the students and teachers to get involved. The Heart Foundation appreciates your kind donation towards the prevention of heart disease within Australia. This money will go a long way at the Heart Foundation, helping to fund:
- Research on heart disease and how we can work towards preventing it,
- Doctors who can help treat people with sick hearts, and
- Education, so Australians know how to take care of their hearts and bodies.
I hope you all continue to practice your skipping and exercise your heart every day. By doing this, you are continuing to help the Heart Foundation achieve our goal of a heart disease free Australia”.
Sally Donaldson, and I, congratulate the students on their strong efforts, and thank families for supporting any skipping that happened at home.
Yo-yo’s
To continue to extend student play opportunities, and the development of unique skills, yo-yo’s have been introduced to the primary Sports and Recreation Shed to be borrowed, and used, at playtimes. I’m sure many parents, and school community members, can remember yo-yo’s from their own childhood – to me, they were a frustration, although I have firm memories of some of my friends doing wonderful tricks! Quite a number of students have begun to bring yo-yo’s to school, and some of the tricks that are being performed are amazing. I hosted a yo-yo workshop, one lunchtime late term 2, and I acknowledge James B and Xavier C-G for the patience they showed in assisting younger students’ tips and tricks.
Whilst we here at PVCC don’t advocate a particular type of yo-yo, here is an article that explains the differences between the two types of yo-yo’s – responsive and unresponsive yo-yo’s: Responsive vs. Unresponsive Yoyo | (Which One Is Better?) (thehobbysource.com)
If your child shows an interest in yo-yo’s, there are many YouTube clips showing beginner yo-yo tricks. This link is perfect for the very beginning use and skills:
How to Yoyo with your First Yoyo - YouTube
Guy Gurney
Primary Teacher - PE Specialist
