iServi News | 5 March 2021 | Term 1, Week 4
Sport at Servite
At Servite we strive to offer a suite of learning opportunities for students to help them to grow as whole persons and to provide pathways for students’ interests, passions and talents. We also strive to set students up for a healthy future with the necessary skills and attributes to live long and enriching lives. Developing a sporting culture which encourages participation, competition and pride in representing the College is a key focus at our school.
With the recent release of our Associated and Catholic College (ACC) Servite Swim Squad, along with the commencement of our Northern Associated Schools (NAS) Sports competition earlier this term, it is appropriate to explore the many benefits associated with involvement in sport.
According to the Victorian State Government site Betterhealth, People who are active dramatically reduce their risk of many diseases, including heart disease and osteoporosis. Regular exercise is also known to reduce the risk of emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. Habits are established early in life and evidence suggests that physically active children are more likely to mature into physically active adults.
They also suggest that some of the many benefits of participation in sport for children include:
- reduced risk of obesity
- increased cardiovascular fitness
- healthy growth of bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons
- improved coordination and balance
- a greater ability to physically relax and, therefore, avoid the complications of chronic muscular tension (such as headache or back ache)
- improved sleep
- mental health benefits, such as greater confidence
- improved social skills
- improved personal skills, including cooperation and leadership.
The Federal Government Report entitled Sport 2030 meanwhile promotes similar benefits from being active: The latest data in Australia tells us physical inactivity contributes to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and various cancers. Exercise can alleviate symptoms of depression, and has been shown to slow the onset of dementia. Remarkably, inactivity when combined with obesity is now considered almost as risky to our nation’s health as smoking.
The Report says that research shows fitter children achieve better academic results and children who play sport stay at school longer. It also suggests that there is a high correlation between playing sport regularly as a child and enjoying a successful future life due to the skills sport imparts on young participants such as teamwork, fair play and resilience. Children who grow up playing sport are also 10% more likely to remain active as adults.
The Report of the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools (Gonski 2.0), released in March 2018, acknowledges the importance of physical activity for students:
Participation in extra-curricular activities, including creative arts and sports, leadership and culture, has a significant impact on a student’s learning growth in the cognitive, affective and physical domains of learning. Although conventionally called ‘extra-curricular’ because they are not always explicit within the Australian Curriculum, these activities are a very important part of learning and should not be regarded as extra, but rather as integral.
Being involved in sport sets our students up for a very positive future life. It also builds a sense of pride and positive and friendly competition as they represent their College against other schools. It also supports our vision to build resilient, self-regulated and perseverant students who have the capacity to manage the future challenges that they may experience in their lives.
We strongly encourage all students to find a sport that suits them and to become fully involved. We acknowledge the wonderful work of Head of Sport Mr Dave Maxwell, the HPE team and College staff for their positive contribution in building sport at the College. We challenge all of our students to become active members in the sporting life of the school – not just to grow a culture of sport at Servite, but to ensure their future health and wellness.
Thank you and congratulations to the many students already representing Servite in sport. We wish all teams the very best in the remaining NAS fixtures this term and also in the upcoming NAS and ACC Swimming Carnivals.
Enrolment Interviews
Enrolment interviews for Year 7, 2022 have recommenced and interviews for Year 7, 2023 are now being scheduled.
Families and friends who intend for their child to attend Servite are encouraged to lodge an enrolment application as a matter of priority, given spaces are quickly becoming limited.
Enrolment applications are available here. Any enrolment queries can be directed toward enrolment@servite.wa.edu.au.
Mr Jeff Allen
Principal