Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Re: Sports Day
We are writing as a group of concerned parents after this year’s sports day at St Georges Church School. Once again we are very disappointed about the day and feel we must let you know about the issues we have, as follows:
- Parents were penned in and not able to cheer their child on as we were too far away
- The gate was left open – leaving the risk of children escaping (Child Protection/Safety issues)
- The activities were not age appropriate – year 6 hanging socks on a washing line?
- No parent/family involvement
- Some activities were not what we feel a sports day should involve – though some more appropriate activities did take place in the morning when we were unable to watch
- Winners of certain activities received medals whilst other winners received stickers and competitors received nothing. (a lot of children who got stickers couldn't understand why the difference)
We understand that St Georges does not encourage competition. However, competition is in essence what a Sports Day is all about, and is something that prepares children for the outside world where they will have to work for their place in society. Allowing them to think that merely taking part is sufficient, whilst commendable is missing the whole point of a sports day. We feel that children should learn that they should aspire to do their best, but they can also aspire to win. One only has to look at the Olympics and Paralympics to see how this inspires and unites society. This is how we progress in our lives and in our careers.
Sports Days have been part of all school life for many many years and have a proven record of encouraging positive peer relationships making for a unified school. Positive reinforcement of social values and unity is even more important in modern life where divisiveness has proved to have such devastating results.
Whilst we realise we are being very critical, we would also like to propose some possible changes:
a) Allow for age appropriate activities for both KS1 and KS2 to do together to enable siblings to be together.
b) Find a way to allow parents to cheer on their children from the sideline rather than from a distance.
c) No heats, finals. Allowing every child to have an opportunity to compete in the activity they want to.
d) Bring back the old sports day activities for parents to enjoy watching and for children to enjoy participating in, eg sack race, three-legged race, egg race, sprints, relay race, parent race, staff race etc etc (this promotes family inclusion and good working relationships between parents and staff).
Yours sincerely Parents of St GeorgesMore like this
Reception Sports Day
Make school fun again
Updates
June 24, 2017
I have completed a formal letter addressed to the school board detailing the specific safety and logistical failures identified during the event. An appointment is being scheduled with the administration to discuss these operational concerns directly. Further updates will follow once the school provides their official response.
June 24, 2017
The volume of support for this petition has reached a level that necessitates an immediate formal meeting with the school board. We are currently finalizing the documentation of these grievances to present during our upcoming briefing with the administration.
16 Comments
I thought it was a sham, being told off as I tried to watch my child take part in the hall :( when the gates were left open for anyone to just walk in or little to run out of, the red tape just made us parents with pushchairs or wheelchairs dangerous for others to trip over and feel to close to other parents, my child wasn't happy she couldn't see me with the amount of parents friends etc that came I am so dissapointed and was pleased it ended when it did, the amount of people who was talking to me about the same thing well I think maybe next time (year) will be different and put more thought about parents and the children!!!!
There was also no regulation of anyone entering and therefore any member of public could have entered and been watching and potentially taking pictures. I am not a parent, only a unknown partner of a parent and at no point was I challenged as to why I was there which I find concerning. I found it wholey inappropriate to have the gates open.
I've actually always liked the idea of the mini olympics and the fact siblings are all in the same team. However this year ostracising the parents and keeping them from being involved and cheering on their child with flags etc and following them to each activity is a shame and made it a different experience for everyone. Also the family picnic was something fun for the whole family to enjoy. My children have been there since the school opened so I remember when everyone used to get involved and we even had an ice cream van a couple of years - so much fun - but this year the fun was totally sucked out of it which is sad ☹️
Sports day this year was a absolute let down. Being taped in like some crime scene and not being able to enjoy cheering on our children. Theres no other school in North somerset that take safe garding on sports day to this extreme! Bring back the proper sports day...egg and spoon ..sack races...parent races..make it enjoyable for parents and kids!!!!
Finally after all these years hopefully the school will listen. It has got to the point that my sporty child doesn't want to participate as they find it boring. Also the netball hoop is an absolute joke the little reception children can't even reach it.
I have been attending the grand children's sports day for 8 yrs and this was the worst ever
I agree whole heartedly with this petition, valid points raised on the comments also. Things need to be changed, it was my eldest child's last year this year, but I have another 3 years of my youngest at St.Georges, I encourage competition at home, both my boys play in football teams, they encourage competition in single games and tournaments. Children of today need to learn and understand the feeling of winning and how to handle losing, it's part of life! As a school you need to be teaching the children both academically and life skills.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Re: Sports Day
We are writing as a group of concerned parents after this year’s sports day at St Georges Church School. Once again we are very disappointed about the day and feel we must let you know about the issues we have, as follows:
- Parents were penned in and not able to cheer their child on as we were too far away
- The gate was left open – leaving the risk of children escaping (Child Protection/Safety issues)
- The activities were not age appropriate – year 6 hanging socks on a washing line?
- No parent/family involvement
- Some activities were not what we feel a sports day should involve – though some more appropriate activities did take place in the morning when we were unable to watch
- Winners of certain activities received medals whilst other winners received stickers and competitors received nothing. (a lot of children who got stickers couldn't understand why the difference)
We understand that St Georges does not encourage competition. However, competition is in essence what a Sports Day is all about, and is something that prepares children for the outside world where they will have to work for their place in society. Allowing them to think that merely taking part is sufficient, whilst commendable is missing the whole point of a sports day. We feel that children should learn that they should aspire to do their best, but they can also aspire to win. One only has to look at the Olympics and Paralympics to see how this inspires and unites society. This is how we progress in our lives and in our careers.
Sports Days have been part of all school life for many many years and have a proven record of encouraging positive peer relationships making for a unified school. Positive reinforcement of social values and unity is even more important in modern life where divisiveness has proved to have such devastating results.
Whilst we realise we are being very critical, we would also like to propose some possible changes:
a) Allow for age appropriate activities for both KS1 and KS2 to do together to enable siblings to be together.
b) Find a way to allow parents to cheer on their children from the sideline rather than from a distance.
c) No heats, finals. Allowing every child to have an opportunity to compete in the activity they want to.
d) Bring back the old sports day activities for parents to enjoy watching and for children to enjoy participating in, eg sack race, three-legged race, egg race, sprints, relay race, parent race, staff race etc etc (this promotes family inclusion and good working relationships between parents and staff).
Yours sincerely Parents of St GeorgesUpdates
June 24, 2017
I have completed a formal letter addressed to the school board detailing the specific safety and logistical failures identified during the event. An appointment is being scheduled with the administration to discuss these operational concerns directly. Further updates will follow once the school provides their official response.
June 24, 2017
The volume of support for this petition has reached a level that necessitates an immediate formal meeting with the school board. We are currently finalizing the documentation of these grievances to present during our upcoming briefing with the administration.
16 Comments
My children have now left St. George's, my youngest being in yr 7. I totally agree with the comments on this, the sports day events are not suitable especially the mentioned 'pegging of socks' the running races had too short a distance to give any one a chance to work up a speed and yes I agree it's healthy to encourage some competition. Bring back the old style 'fun' not 'boring' sports day. Well done to whomever brought this up!
I thought it was a sham, being told off as I tried to watch my child take part in the hall :( when the gates were left open for anyone to just walk in or little to run out of, the red tape just made us parents with pushchairs or wheelchairs dangerous for others to trip over and feel to close to other parents, my child wasn't happy she couldn't see me with the amount of parents friends etc that came I am so dissapointed and was pleased it ended when it did, the amount of people who was talking to me about the same thing well I think maybe next time (year) will be different and put more thought about parents and the children!!!!
There was also no regulation of anyone entering and therefore any member of public could have entered and been watching and potentially taking pictures. I am not a parent, only a unknown partner of a parent and at no point was I challenged as to why I was there which I find concerning. I found it wholey inappropriate to have the gates open.
I've actually always liked the idea of the mini olympics and the fact siblings are all in the same team. However this year ostracising the parents and keeping them from being involved and cheering on their child with flags etc and following them to each activity is a shame and made it a different experience for everyone. Also the family picnic was something fun for the whole family to enjoy. My children have been there since the school opened so I remember when everyone used to get involved and we even had an ice cream van a couple of years - so much fun - but this year the fun was totally sucked out of it which is sad ☹️
Sports day this year was a absolute let down. Being taped in like some crime scene and not being able to enjoy cheering on our children. Theres no other school in North somerset that take safe garding on sports day to this extreme! Bring back the proper sports day...egg and spoon ..sack races...parent races..make it enjoyable for parents and kids!!!!
Finally after all these years hopefully the school will listen. It has got to the point that my sporty child doesn't want to participate as they find it boring. Also the netball hoop is an absolute joke the little reception children can't even reach it.
I have been attending the grand children's sports day for 8 yrs and this was the worst ever
I agree whole heartedly with this petition, valid points raised on the comments also. Things need to be changed, it was my eldest child's last year this year, but I have another 3 years of my youngest at St.Georges, I encourage competition at home, both my boys play in football teams, they encourage competition in single games and tournaments. Children of today need to learn and understand the feeling of winning and how to handle losing, it's part of life! As a school you need to be teaching the children both academically and life skills.
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My children have now left St. George's, my youngest being in yr 7. I totally agree with the comments on this, the sports day events are not suitable especially the mentioned 'pegging of socks' the running races had too short a distance to give any one a chance to work up a speed and yes I agree it's healthy to encourage some competition. Bring back the old style 'fun' not 'boring' sports day. Well done to whomever brought this up!