ENHANCING SPORT THROUGH FAITH

WOW, WE ARE SO SPECIAL....

ATHLETICS 

I was fortunate enough to be convening the Hastings Zone Athletics Championships on Wednesday. The role is an extremely busy one, but it gave me time to step away from my usual role at St Peter’s and be a bystander. It gave me time to look at St Peter’s as an outsider.

I witnessed many students from other schools playing games on the oval, but when I looked at the St Peter’s tent, they were sitting and cheering on their peers.   

I witnessed many of our students congratulating their competitors, no matter the result.

I asked two St Peter’s girls, “Why are you here?” They replied, “We just want to congratulate Paige!”

I witnessed a huge number of smiles from our kids and the joy of getting out and active, and being part of a team.

I witnessed three teachers (Miss Fowler, Mrs Kipreotis and Mrs Tarbox) supporting, encouraging, and tying shoe laces for our 47 athletes all day long.

Even that night, I saw two of the team with their family at the shops, and the smile was still on their faces from the day. They also wanted to tell me about their day. 

The above doesn’t happen at all schools, but it happens at the Mighty St Peter’s at every sporting event we attend. Why are we so successful? It’s our culture, it’s our PBS first and our skills second, it’s the pride in the uniform, it’s the honour to represent our school, it’s what Jesus would do, it’s our high expectations, athletes commitment to training and each other, it’s the athletes attitude, and eventually, it becomes just what we do naturally time and time again.

9 YEARS IN A ROW !!

We did it! It was an amazing day at the Hastings Zone Athletics Championships on Wednesday. The team was outstanding in all age groups and displayed their wonderful PBS values on and off the track. A huge congratulations to all athletes, as every point counted. A special thank you to Mrs Kipreotis, Mrs Tarbox and Miss Fowler, who cared for and supported our team. A very proud sporting moment for the Mighty St Peter’s.

ATHLETICS TRAINING FOR OUR TEAM

A Compass Notification will be sent home shortly to all athletes who have made the Hastings Zone Athletics Team. To ensure the school team's maximum success, we require all students to attend their weekly training sessions. I am also happy to loan equipment such as a shot put and or discus. 

The sessions will be for Week 3:

• Monday - 2nd lunch playtime - Athletics Relay Team Training
• Tuesday - 2nd lunch playtime - Long Jump
• Wednesday - 1st lunch eating time - 100M and 200M
• Thursday - 2nd lunch eating time - Shot
• Friday - 1st lunch eating time - Discus

HASTINGS ZONE GALA DAY - DATE CHANGE AND UPDATE

Originally, the Hastings Zone Gala Day was to be held in early September; however, due to ground works at the venue for the month of September, the event has now moved to Thursday, August 21. 

HASTINGS ZONE GALA DAY

Trialling has commenced for our soccer and netball teams for the Hastings Zone Gala Day on Thursday, August 21, at Laurieton. We will be entering an all-boys' and an all-girls' soccer team, as well as two netball teams. I thank the 90-plus athletes who are trialling, and I wish you the very best. Teams will be announced next week and a Compass Notification will be sent out. Thank you to Mr Murtagh, Mrs Baird, Miss McKenzie, Miss Wotherspoon and Mrs Cullen for supporting the teams.

SUPER SATURDAY IS BACK !!

I remember many years ago, Mrs Mowle and Mrs Morris went out on Super Saturday to see a group of Peter's kids who played in "The Rabbits" soccer team. Both teachers arrived before kick-off, and as soon as one child saw the teachers, the whole team ran in excitement and smiles to hug both of the teachers. The excitement continued for a while, so much so, the game they were meant to be playing in had started, and the opposition kicked a goal! "The Rabbits" were then asked by their coach to stop hugging Mrs Mowle and Mrs Morris and go and play, because the game had already started!

One of the most unique things in terms of Sport and St Peter’s is Super Saturday. This tradition has expanded over the years to Friday and Sunday as well, and is a very special way for teachers to see your child or children in another light. For your child or children, the smiles of your children as they see teachers from their class or school at their sporting event is a highlight of a lifetime.

If you have a sporting event coming up that your child is a part of, it might be the Grand Final, a regular season game and or a gala day, teachers will try and get to that event if they are free. Please send me an email with the name of the child and any other Peter's kids involved, the date, venue and time. I will then send this to the staff.

My email is jeff.arkinstall@lism.catholic.edu.au

AROUND THE GROUNDS

SPORTING FAMILIES

As you know, we have many staff who are very sporty and or have very sporty family members. From Grant, Robson, Kipreotis and Gallery.

Now, we have Mrs Parsons and her grandchildren who are setting the cross-country world in Western Australia alight. At the recent WA Cross Country titles, Bella won gold and Mackenzie was 4th, and both are off to nationals. Mackenzie also won bronze in race walking. Congratulations Mrs Parsons. Naturally, Mr Arkinstall has spoken about the possibility of the students coming to St Peter’s in the near future!

PIPER, YOU CHEERLEADING STAR !

Piper recently competed at a major Cheerleading competition, they gained 1st place for novice, and hit zero (which means no mistakes in their routine). They were also awarded bronze grand champions. There was less than one point between gold and bronze grand champions! There were also 21 teams in their division. Piper will also be competing again on 5th September at Homebush. Well done, Piper, and all the best in Sydney.

THE SPORTING ROAD AHEAD ...