Sport and Co-curricular Review
Earlier this term parents, staff and students were invited to complete the Sport and Co-curricular survey. Thank you for taking the time to complete this and for the valuable comments received.
The survey results will now assist the College to revise, refine and deliver a program that is even more appropriate to continue to challenge boys in being involved in community activities beyond the classroom.
The analysis of the survey results clearly identified specific trends, along with a resounding endorsement of our current, diverse program.
Parents demonstrated a strong awareness of the value of compulsory co-curricular participation and students also, for the most part, agreed with this. Amongst other trends there was a clear indication from all those who were surveyed, that they did not want the College to place a limit on the number of sports and/or co-curricular activities that students could participate in, and also that the College should provide qualified coaching and management of these sports and activities.
There is a wide range of costs in delivering certain programs and, in particular, community sporting club-based competitions, and these costs have continued to grow. The College’s current policy is that students from Years 5 to 10 are involved in two sports and/or Co-curricular activities, while students in Years 11 and 12 are required to do at least one. Currently, some are boys participating in up to five activities.
In our collection of data, more than 50% of families supported a user pays or levy for co-curricular. The College is currently considering these commitments and how best to continue funding them as equitably as possible. Final decisions about these funding aspects and other refinements to requirements will be communicated to all involved, along with information about on-line registration for the 2019 winter season.
It was extremely pleasing to see the strong support from our College community for this vital part of College life. Thank you for your involvement.
John Papahatzis
Assistant Principal - Sport & Co-curricular
Report by 2019 College Sport Captain
Lachlan Bamford, the 2019 Sport Captain, was recently given the opportunity to reflect on his experience of the College Sport program and wrote:
Sport is an essential part of a boy’s education – it plays a vital role in creating the whole person. The sports program at the College aims to develop boys into well-rounded and balanced characters.
In 2019, as Sport Prefect for the College, I am keen to promote a focus and emphasis on the College’s culture, participation and character surrounding College sport.
In the pursuit of a more engaging and convenient Sport Program, we are striving to build a stronger sense of culture at the College – one of encouragement and support. Working closely with the various Captains of Sport, we are forming initiatives to promote greater engagement between senior and junior students as we bridge the gap to create a more practical and dynamic environment.
As well as this, we have expectations of increased involvement and attendance at both sport trainings and events. We have hopes to give boys the opportunity to hear from knowledgeable and inspiring athletes across a range of sports to inform boys of the relevance of sport and its significance to the individual. Through boys partaking in sport, it not only enables them to build stronger relationships with their peers, but it equips them with essential life skills in areas of teamwork, leadership and discipline.
In 2019, we also endeavour to precisely define and shape students into the Augustinian sports character as we ensure all boys participate in a respectful, sportsman-like and Augustinian manner.
I am excited for the year ahead and encourage all boys to give new sports a go as we venture into a new year of new experiences, challenges and successes. As we all know, a healthy mind lives in a healthy body.
