CAS Swimming Championship, 2017
From Director of Co-curricular, Stephen O’Donnell
Summer season ends
Well done to all of our summer co-curricular activities who concluded the season last weekend. We had a great season and a huge thank you to all convenors, staff, coaches, parents and students for their tremendous efforts over the season. Special to mention to the Year 12 students who have now played their last game of summer sport for the college. A big thank you also to the water polo, cricket and basketball supporter groups for their efforts over the season and the presentation events last weekend.
Arrangements for commencement of winter season
We have now commenced our winter co-curricular season and most students have winter sport trials this Saturday. We also have a large number of boys attending cadet camp at the end of this week. These students will still be considered in regard to team selections. Saturday 24 March will see continued selection trials but also all A’s squads in football and rugby will play a football blitz tournament and 7’s rugby. Our staff and coaches will be doing their best with selections but no teams are set in concrete and good performance and attitude will result in promotion. A reminder to all students to ensure they wear the correct sport uniform and equipment for their activities – do not forget mouthguards, boots and shin-pads. It is also vital that all students regularly hydrate at training and games as the weather is still warm. A reminder that any absence from weekend commitments requires a medical certificate. Leave requests must be in writing, two weeks’ prior to the absence, with a maximum of two requests per year.
Baseline testing for concussion & other health support
We will be baseline concussion testing our at-risk students over the next few weeks. This an important part of the well-being of all students and will give us a measure of when students can return to play based on these results. There is no cost for this other than bulk billing based on Medicare numbers. We will always have a physiotherapist and paramedic at Queens Park on Saturdays in the winter season and we also send a physiotherapist to away games. If any student suffers a concussion playing club sport it is vital that we are made aware of this as soon as possible, as this will affect their ability to also play for the College.
Why we play sport
Parents and students are reminded to be familiar with the CAS Codes of Conduct for players and spectators. Appropriate respect for all players, officials and the opposition community is essential. This is schoolboy sport and, whilst we love to win, participating in co-curricular at the College is first and foremost about:
- participation
- learning to work in a team
- competition
- how to win and lose gracefully
- healthy lifelong exercise habits
- building self esteem
- representing your school.
I wish our CAS swimming and diving squads the very best for the championships this Thursday. The students have been working very hard. I am also really looking forward to hearing our supporters in full voice when we are singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ and ‘Living on a Prayer’. We have a number of students competing in the National Junior Athletics Championships on Thursday: Dane Towns, Charles McGrath and Alex Talbot will be representing the College at the highest level. Best wishes to these students for every success.
Good luck to all students in their various activities this week and ‘Go the Waves!’
