At Mary Immaculate Primary, our school sports days are held throughout the year and promote physical activity, teamwork and school spirit among the students. They typically involve a variety of sports and athletic activities and are usually held on our school oval.
Here's a list of our sports days:
Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals
For our school carnivals, we invite our parents, carers and school community to attend and cheer along with their children. An overview of a typical school carnival may include:
- Opening Ceremony: We open with a welcome to the students, teachers and school community that have gathered together. There may be an opening speech, the national anthem, Welcome to Country, and other presentations to kick off the event.
- March Past: Students may march in groups, house-wise to showcase unity and discipline. They may carry their school house banner.
- Track and Field Events: These are central to our Athletics Carnival. Students participate in various races of different distances, such as sprints, relays, and long-distance races. There may also be hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put and javelin throw events.
- Fun Activities: To add an element of fun and entertainment, sports carnivals often include activities like tug-of-war, sack races, three-legged races, and other relay races. These games are designed to be inclusive and allow everyone to participate.
- Closing Ceremony: The sports carnival concludes with a closing ceremony where winners are awarded medals, trophies, or certificates. There may be speeches, acknowledgements, and a vote of thanks to the participants, teachers and organisers.
School carnivals are not only about competition, but also about fostering a sense of sportsmanship, teamwork, and physical fitness among students. They provide an opportunity for students to showcase their talents, develop their athletic abilities, and build camaraderie with their peers.
Swimming Program
Our Swimming Program is currently held at Griffith Uni Aquatic Pool Nathan and consists of students visiting for 6 weeks in Term 1 for weekly swimming lessons and Prep students attending in Term 4.
There are numerous benefits to swimming lessons and is often considered an essential life skill, especially here in Queensland. Here are several reasons why swimming lessons are beneficial for children:
- Water Safety: Learning to swim helps children become more confident and comfortable in water environments. They acquire essential water safety skills, such as floating, reading water, and understanding basic rescue techniques. These skills can significantly reduce the risk of drowning and increase their safety in and around water bodies.
- Physical Fitness: Swimming is a fantastic form of exercise that engages almost all major muscle groups. It helps improve cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and coordination. Regular swimming can contribute to overall physical fitness, promote a healthy lifestyle, and combat sedentary behaviours associated with modern living.
- Social Interaction: Swimming lessons provide an opportunity for children to interact with their peers in a structured and supervised environment. They can make new friends, learn teamwork, and develop social skills while participating in group activities and team exercises.
- Confidence and Self-Esteem: Learning to swim and achieving milestones in swimming lessons can boost a child's confidence and self-esteem.
- Stress Relief and Recreation: Swimming is a fun and enjoyable activity that can help children relax, unwind and relieve stress. It provides a break from academic pressures and allows children to engage in a recreational activity that promotes mental well-being and relaxation.
- Lifelong Skill: Learning to swim is a lifelong skill that can benefit children throughout their lives. Whether for recreational purposes, participating in water sports, or enjoying water-based activities during vacations, swimming allows individuals to fully enjoy aquatic environments and engage in a wide range of water-related activities confidently.
It's important to remember that children should always be supervised around water, regardless of their swimming ability. Swimming lessons are not a substitute for close adult supervision, but they can significantly enhance a child
's water safety and aquatic skills.