Sport News
INFANTS SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Over the years, I have been to a number of swimming carnivals at different levels (not competing, just watching) school carnivals for Primary and Secondary, then Zone, CSSA and CIS. Each time I have been to one, they demonstrate the amazing talent that we have at our school, not to mention realising the countless hours students put in to training each week to reach such milestones. Children are amazing and to be so dedicated to train 3-4 times a week is impressive.
These carnivals always had one thing in common: the students love to swim. They spend many training sessions in the pool, developing their strength, technique, speed, you name it, to not only get better at each stroke but also because the enjoy doing it.
This enjoyment had to start somewhere. Maybe it was when they first went to the beach as a toddler, paddling in the water and running away from the oncoming whitewash. Maybe it was swimming in their friend’s pool, spending numerous hours in the water, playing “Marco Polo” until their fingers were beyond wrinkly.
To be able to provide opportunities for students at school to get in the water, have fun, grow in confidence and to develop their swimming skills is important. One of the first opportunities they have at school is the Infants Swimming Carnival. It was held on Friday 13 March at the Peninsula Leisure Centre and was a great day.
The carnival held for students in Kindergarten through to Year 2 has a number of exciting activities for the children to participate. There are the usual swimming races, only 25m long and with a lot of support and encouragement in every lane by our amazing volunteers. Then we have other events that are not just to help become more confident in the water, but to also have a great time. These events are some of the favourites of the kids (especially our Year 6 helpers) and you can guarantee they will be a smile on each face. We also have the wading pool, where all the students play games, such as collect the coloured balls or running away from the “crocodile”. Then there is the inflatable obstacle course, where students run, jump, dodge, over a number of obstacles before leaping into the water at the end. Finally, and a personal favourite of mine, is the water slide. All the students love this one, flying down the slide to explode out the end into the water in one big splash.
The excitement had been building about the carnival and it did not disappoint. The children had a wonderful time, with lovely weather outside for our morning tea and exciting activities in the pool. There were smiles everywhere from all the children and parents having a great time in the water.
Thank you to the many parents for helping out on the day, whether it was in the water as a lifeguard and also to our Year 6 Leaders (House Captains, School Captains and Prefects) who were absolutely fantastic. They were everywhere and were a great help everyone. They had so much fun it was hard getting them out of the water at the end of the day.
Finally, well done to all Infants for having a go at everything and trying some new activities.
THACCCSA TOUCH FOOTBALL GALA DAY
Nathan Lambert
