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).