Every year our children compete in our Annual Athletics Day. We feel this is an important event in our calendar because it gives children a chance to develop their skills out of the classroom. Participation in sports improves their health, wellbeing and develops resilience. It also fosters team spirit. Furthermore, children develop their social skills by supporting others and learning to cope with winning and losing well. Finally, they respond to healthy competition and the professional setting enables children who have physical strengths to shine.

Y1 and 2 had their Athletics Day at school and competed in long jump, high jump, short and long sprints and, in their PE lesson, cricket ball throw. Y3-8 went to Mt Smart stadium where they are fortunate to use the all weather track to compete in High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, Discus, Cricketball Throw, Turbojav and running events including 60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m. At our school everyone competes in every event to the best of their ability. With each jump or throw they are trying to improve their own distance. We always finish proceedings with the very competitive inter-house relay competition.

Every year I’m so impressed with the effort and determination I see from children of all abilities to achieve their own goals. They might not be likely to win but instead are trying to beat their own distance or just simply finish a challenging race.

Congratulations to all the children who competed and to the parents for your support on the day and to the Ficino staff for running each event so well. 

Rachel Setters
Assistant Principal