4. Swimming Sports Notice

ST JOSEPH’S SCHOOL SENIOR SWIMMING SPORTS 2019 Year 4 - 8

Wednesday 6^th March at the Waitaki Aquatic Centre

Dear Parents

• The senior swimming sports are for the Yr 4-8 children who have their lessons in the big pool.   First race starts at 9.30 am sharp or earlier if ready beforehand and finished by 12.30 pm.
• All the children need to be at school by 8.50 am as they walking down to the pool at that time.  
• The roll will be taken before they leave school.
• Children are not allowed to go straight to the pool
•  Children come to school in their PE uniform and change into their house colours at the pool (no face paint, glitter or vivids).
• They need to bring plenty of food and water

• Helpers are required for timekeepers who will be shown how to time keep before the racing starts (seat guaranteed).  They need to be at the pool by 9.10 am. Let Mrs Brien know if you can help. (we still require another 9 timekeepers as of today).
• We require a parent who has a trailer or big car that can help transport chairs down to the pool on the day.                                                                                                                                             
• The sports will start with demonstration races for the children who can swim half a length in/or freestyle and backstroke.
• The non-competitive and competitive events for each stroke and age group will follow.
• All competitive races will be timed as there are no finals.
• Children have been entered into races they are confident in with both the swimming instructor and sports coordinator been looking at them during their swimming lessons.
• Programmes will be available to buy for a gold coin donation.  These will be available from the recorder.  Please bring the correct change.

• Children swim in their age group as of 6th March 2019 (date of swimming sports).
• Places will be determined on times recorded
• Starting procedure is whistle for quiet, ‘on your marks’ followed by a bang
• False starts will sound with the clappers and/or whistle blowing
• Everyone is to be quiet when the swimmers are under starter’s orders
• The different events will be put on a whiteboard which will go past
• Each teacher will have a copy of the programme
• Children to listen carefully to marshalling calls
• Time keeper slips (1 for each lane) – children to be given one at marshalling and give to the time keeper in your lane.
• Every competitive swimmer receives 2 house points and non-competitive will receive 1 house point. 
• Championship swimmers who get placings will earn 3 points for 1^st, 2 points for 2^nd and 1 point for 3^rd.
• Demonstration race swimmers will earn 1 point for their house

•  Parents please sit on the opposite side of the pool to the children and the children will be required to stay in the stands as we won’t have time to find them if they miss their races.
• Please do not approach the recorders for results

• North Otago Swimming Sports- children who have qualified for the North Otago Swimming Sports will be required to perform the stroke correctly.  There will be someone checking on technique at the sports and the children will be disqualified if they are using an incorrect technique.
• Entry for the North Otago sports is taken on times and not placings. 
• The North Otago Swimming sports are on Wednesday 13^th March and the fastest swimmers who qualify from both St Joseph’s and Oamaru North are notified.
• Otago Primary School swimming sports take place on Saturday 7^th April at Moana Pool in Dunedin.  The first race is at 9.00 am and the entry fee is $6.00 per race entered ($6 entry fee for a relay).  If you wish for your child to take part in this, please let me know ASAP so we can use the swimming times.  Entries to Paula by Friday 16^th March with no late entries being accepted.

All any queries regarding these sports please contact me.  Thanks

Paula Brien

Sports Coordinator