Kia ora e te whaanau,

Winter Sports are in full swing and like many of you, I too have the juggle of being at the right sport, at the right time with the right child…with the right gear. On Saturday I am often at the netball court and this year I have noticed a big drive from the organiser to spread the message of ‘Positive Vibes Only’. They had people dressed up, handing out stickers and posters with messages such as:

• Support and encourage both teams
• Let the players enjoy the game
• Be kind 
• Your words affect how we play 

These messages align with the ‘Balance is Better” philosophy developed and promoted by Sport New Zealand. Their research indicates that children are leaving sports in high numbers, particularly as they reach Intermediate years. Sport New Zealand is working hard to keep children engaged in sports by promoting their evidence-based messages to teachers, coaches and parents. 

They have 10 Golden Rules for Parents…

• Fun with friends comes first
• Be patient with their progress
• It’s their time to shine- Turn up and step back.
• Applaud effort over outcomes- “You tried your best today and never gave up”.
• More sports is better- Variety over early specialisation.
• Sports for life skills- Valuing the learning around showing good character, sportsmanship, resilience, being part of a team, and being kind.
• The mind matters most- Supporting our children with challenges, giving them perspective, reducing the high stakes with messages such as ‘it’s just a game’.
• Be a good sport too- Children pick up on parents' actions and words on the sideline.
• Be aware of burnout- It’s okay to give them a break if they are tired.
• Love watching them play- “I loved watching you play today”.

Here is the video from their website…

https://balanceisbetter.org.nz/10-golden-rules-for-youth-sport-parents/

We see the 'Golden Rules’ in action during our school sports events and on the sidelines, and we value the positive attitudes our school community brings to sports. This fosters a sense of enjoyment and creates a positive atmosphere. We are also grateful for the strong support we receive from our coaches and team managers. A big thank you to all the parents who dedicate their time to running practices, coaching, managing teams, and showing up on the sidelines to support.

As you know, school is closed for students tomorrow for a Teachers Only Day. The teaching team will be heading off to a Professional Learning Day with our Kaahui Ako (Community of Learning) with approximately 700 teachers attending. We believe Erika Standford is planning to make an appearance and we will be taking part in workshops across various educational topics.

We hope you all have a lovely long weekend and we will see you back at school next Tuesday,

Ngaa mihi nui,

Nyree Olliver