P.E. AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES / SPORT AT MITCHAM / JUNIOR SPORTS POLICY

/ CODE OF BEHAVIOUR /

COMMUNICATION / THE SPORTS SUBCOMMITTEE

P.E. AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES / Back to top
The school has a year 3 to 7 P.E. specialist teacher and an extremely strong program. There is an Athletics Day, Sports Day and Swimming Carnival each year with House competition and individual pursuits of high standards. The school is involved in many SAPSASA activities and other District competitions. Skills clinics are held to introduce the younger children to various sports. The Sports Committee organises a large out of school hours sports program involving about 45 teams. The School Council has appointed a part time paid Sports Coordinator.

SPORT AT MITCHAM / Back to top
The importance of sport for the physical and emotional development of young children is well recognised. A wealth of opportunities are available in a wide variety of sports.
Many children participate in a wide variety of sports and a large number of volunteer helpers assist and support teams in a host of ways.
We aim to cater equally for both girls and boys and ensure that sporting opportunities are available to all children, to allow the development of skills and to provide enjoyment to all who take part.
A sports booklet has been prepared to help students take up opportunities to participate in a sport, which suits their age and experience.

JUNIOR SPORTS POLICY / Back to top
Mitcham School has adopted the following policy:
“School sports clubs can choose to begin children playing in competitive teams from the year in which the child turns eight or when the child is in Year 2 ”.

CODES OF BEHAVIOUR as adopted by the Australian Council and SAPSASA / Back to top
The Codes of Behaviour, which are, reproduced below are those officially endorsed for all sports teams representing Mitcham School. They define the way in which sport is to be enjoyed by the students and adult helpers in all sporting activities. We ask that all sporting groups ensure their behaviour is guided by these codes.
* Be a good sport.
* Work hard for your team as well as yourself.
* Treat all teammates and opponents as you enjoy being treated yourself.
* Play by the rules.
* Cooperate with team and game officials.
* Control your behavior on and off the field.
* Learn to value honest effort, skilled performance and improvement.
For Teachers and Coaches
* Set a good example for your players.
* Encourage and create opportunities.
* Teach a wide range of team skills.
* Ensure that the sport is appropriate for the age group and the skill development level of the players involved.
* Give all interested students a chance to participate in training and in games.
* All children should receive equal opportunity and equal playing time in their chosen sport.
* Remove from the field of play any of your players whose behavior is not acceptable.
* Keep your own knowledge of coaching and of the developments of the game up to date.
For Parents
* Encourage participation by your children.
* Provide a model of good sporting spirit for your child to copy.
* Be courteous in your communication with players, team officials, game officials and sport administrators.
* Encourage honest effort, skilled performance and team loyalty.
* Make any new parents feel welcome on all occasions.
* Do not interfere with the conduct of any events.
For Spectators
* Demonstrate appropriate social behavior.
* Remember that the children play for enjoyment. Don’t let your behavior detract from their enjoyment.
* Let the game officials conduct events without interference.
* Support skilled performances and team play with generous applause.
* Demonstrate respect for opposing players and their supporters.

COMMUNICATION / Back to top
Communication between players, parents, coaches and the school staff is most important. Parents wishing to know information about school sport may contact the PE teacher through the school office. For particular sports, the people named in this booklet will be the best source of information. Coaches will seek contact information from all players for use in emergencies, and from time to time messages will be relayed through the school office or through class teachers.
Office Open After School
Coaches, players and parents need to note that the school office is open until 4.30pm. When unexpected problems arise, such as parents not arriving to collect children after practice, coaches are to wait with the child or contact the emergency number.
Sports Notice board
We have a special sports notice board on the outside wall of the building facing the oval available for sports organizers and players. Sports results are posted there, as well as a range of information about different sporting opportunities for children.
Newsletter
A sports newsletter accompanies the regular Wednesday newsletter. Sports notices of a general nature can be placed into the newsletter as a way of communication to all club members. Readers are keen to hear about the major activities of the clubs. Look there for important items which affect your sport. Important reminders and information are often brought directly to the attention of the children at school assemblies. Parents are also given confirmation in writing of special sports arrangements.
Grievance Procedures
From time to time, complaints arise. If parents or students are unhappy about an issue or behavior at a match or practice, the matter should be referred to the coach.
If necessary the coach should contact the coordinator of that sport, or present the issue to the sport subcommittee. Serious breaches should be referred to senior staff of the school.

THE SPORTS SUBCOMMITTEE / Back to top
The Principal is responsible for school sport as part of the curriculum of the school. Management of sport is undertaken by each sporting committee and coordinators.
The Sports Subcommittee is comprised of a representative from each affiliated sports club or organization and staff representatives. The committee meets once a term and is responsible to the School Council.
The aim of the Sports Subcommittee is to foster the enjoyment of sport at the school through assisting each affiliated group. By coordinating the activities of each sport, mutual support for all sports is provided.
The Sports Subcommittee
* Presents the issues of sports groups to the School Council.
* Recommends the endorsement of nominated coaches, managers and club officials.
* Coordinates the implementation of policies such as the hot / wet weather policy and the approved medical and player registration forms.
* Discusses issues of mutual concern to all clubs.
* Occasionally raises money to purchase items to benefit all sports.
SPORTS COORDINATOR
The Sports Coordinator works in cooperation with the Sports Subcommittee to assist in the administration of sport run by the school. The Sports Coordinator is ultimately responsible to the Mitcham School Council.
SKILLS CLINICS
From time to time, Sports Skills Clinics are organised for the Junior Primary or Primary classes. These are often conducted during the school day, as an adjunct to the class physical education program.
These may be:
* Open to individuals who wish to take part.
* Provided to all children in their class groups.
Sometimes these clinics are provided free by various sporting bodies while other groups charge a cost which may be passed on to the children who participate. The clinics are an opportunity for all children to experience and develop skills, even if they have no prior involvement in that sport. In this way, the sporting options available to all children are expanded.
SAPSASA
Mitcham Primary School is affiliated with SAPSASA. We are one of twenty schools that make up the Southern Heights District.
As we are an affiliated member, students at Mitcham whether as individuals or in teams are given the opportunity to compete at a higher level. This may occur through the student being selected in his or her district team.
Sports which form district representative teams include soccer, netball, football, hockey, swimming, athletics, cricket and softball.
Children wishing to participate in SAPSASA must already compete in that sport at club level or within a school sports team.
HOT AND WET WEATHER
The conduct of sports matches and practices will be within the guidelines of school policy covering inclement weather. The aim of coaches will be to protect the health and safety of the children at all times.
* Hats must be worn in Terms 1 and 4. Sunscreen will be actively encouraged during the summer sports seasons. Excessive activity in very hot weather will be avoided.
* If rain falls during practice the outdoor activities will be curtailed and the children will be taken to a sheltered location.
* Practices may be cancelled the previous day and all children will be notified.
* If coaches are unable to cancel practices at short notice they will retain responsibility for supervising the players until they have been collected or they can dismiss them at the usual time and in the prearranged manner. The school office staff assists in such emergencies.
Parents are encouraged to monitor the weather conditions and have their children collected early if the weather makes it impossible to practice.

OUT OF HOURS SPORT
Please contact the school for the name and phone number of the coordinator of a sport if you require further information.

Sports available are Netball, Football, Cricket, Baseball, T-Ball, Soccer, Hockey and Softball.