Sports Day – Reminder (Wednesday 20^thJune)

As per website notices, Sports Day this year will be on Wednesday 20^thJune.

As you will now be well aware, I am a firm believer that ‘Sports Day’ should be fully competitive in nature, allowing those children who achieve physically to be celebrated on a par with academic success. Winning and losing is an important lesson in life, managing expectations, recognising the need to apply oneself, respecting the efforts of others and promoting physical and mental wellbeing, are all fundamental aspects of life in and beyond school; these should therefore be developed and nurtured. For this reason, children will again be competing in traditional racing events and receiving recognition for individual achievements, as well ascelebrating determination and commitment in those who apply themselves, regardless of outcome.

Arrangements

There are no changes to previous years format. Owing to numbers of pupils in school, the day will be split into two events (Infants & Juniors). I appreciate that this can be inconvenient for parents with children in different year groups; however, over 325 pupils competing in a range of events cannot be done in a single morning.

Lower field

I am delighted that this year, the Lower Field, adjacent to Frederick St and Ashbourne Road will be our venue. It has taken some time to get this field to the standard we need, but at long last we will see a return to this location.

Parents will still be permitted to watch the events, however, owing to the high numbers that attend, it will not be possible to provide seating. You will however be allowed to bring seating of your own, picnic rugs or similar to sit on. Buggies for younger children can be left at the bottom of the steps in the gated football section. An area will be allocated for you to sit, close to the track.

MORNING

Reception, Year 1 and 2 will start at 9:15am(Parents should enter via the playground gate off Frederick Street. A member of staff will be there to point parents in the direction of the field and to secure the entrance – gates will close at 9:15am. (Late arrivals will need to enter via the reception entrance).

AFTERNOON

Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 will start at 1:15pm (Parents should enter via the playground gate off Frederick Street after 1:05pm. A member of staff will be there to point parents in the direction of the field and to secure the entrance – gates will close at 1:15pm. (Late arrivals will need to enter via the reception entrance).

Time allowing, there may be an opportunity for a ‘parents race’; a chance for parents to lead by example, have fun and be a part of the school community. We may be able to persuade some staff to join in too!

Events will include: Sprint, sack race, skipping, egg and spoon and beanbag relay.

Who will race?

Races will be open to all pupilsand all will be encouraged and permitted to enter in as many events as they wish. Races will be run in heats, with 1^st, 2^ndand 3^rdplaces awarded for each event. As the events will be open to all, there may be more heats in some events than others but this will allow all to compete at a level they feel comfortable with. We will run as many races as time allows

A final note on conduct

The key purpose of Sports Day is to allow children to enjoy physical activity and give an opportunity for the community to join in a key event in the school year. Please remember this. Encourage the children in a positive and sporting manner and ensure that all children’s efforts are celebrated. We are the role models and need to be mindful of this. Positivity breads success.

The school is a non smoking site and this includes the use of E cigarettes. Please feel free to bring drinks with you if you wish or support the Friends of Ashgate, who this year have kindly offered to provide drinks for guests. However, alcohol is not permitted on school site on Sports Day. Parents using offensive or abusive language will be removed from site.

Amenities

There will be access to toilets for visitors, but this will require staff supervision to and from the facilities. Please do not attempt to enter the school without staff guidance.

Poor weather

In the event of poor weather, the event will be postponed until such time the field is dry.

Ashgate Primary School follows the guidance on the 'Recording of Images' issued by the Information Commissioners Office (ICO).

“Common sense guidance by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) aims to dispel the myth that data protection prevents parents from taking photographs of their child and friends at school events”.

“Photographs taken purely for personal use are exempt from the Data Protection Act”

PARENTS MAY TAKE IMAGES

• of their children and friends during school events for 'family albums'
• and can film events at school for personal use; examples of which include nativity performances and sports days.

However we do ask parents to recognize that children are, and will always be, considered a 'vulnerable group', requiring special considerations; we therefore ask that those taking images:

• to ensure the 'focus' is on their child/children

• to ensure images that include other children are not distributed to a third party* without consulting the parent/carer of those children (This is not the responsibility of the school) 


*Third parties in this circumstance includes social network web-pages, such as 'Facebook' and 'Twitter'. 
Please keep the safety of young children in mind at all times 


Should you have any questions regarding personal photography in school, please feel free to talk to the school and or consult the guidance issued by the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) www.ico.gov.uk.


NB: The school is required by Data Protection Act to consult parents prior to official photography that may be distributed to a third party and or used for official school use, such as the internet website and brochure/prospectus use. 
Please ensure that the details held at school are up to date.

Peter Seargent. Headteacher