Circular 5

Circular 5/2010                                                                 20 January 2010

Dear Parent

GENERAL INFORMATION : SPORT

The new year is already in full swing and the children’s excitement for the mass athletics meeting is evident.

We would like to share all the general information regarding sport with you.

COACHES

Our initial aim is to encourage mass participation, as we realize the importance of children participating in sport, not only for their physical, but also for their social development.  Durbanville Primary prides itself on its holistic approach.

As we only have a limited number of staff members who can act as coaches, we are compelled to make use of other coaches (private individuals) to assist us with the coaching in the different sport codes.  Our aim is to have a coach for each team and we go to great lengths to find a suitable candidate.  Our menu is comprehensive and cannot be serviced by staff members only.

TYPES OF SPORT

We have decided not to expand our present sport menu due to lack of physical facilities and the fact, that we have a wonderful relationship with our local clubs.  We therefore, do not want to duplicate the sport types offered by these clubs.  Cricket matches at our school only take place during the week, as the local cricket club plays matches on Saturdays.  At present, our sport menu comprises hockey (boys and girls), netball, cricket, tennis, rugby, chess, golf, swimming, cross country and athletics.  All sports not offered at our school, receive recognition.  We urge you to encourage your child to participate in sport.

MATCHES

If your child plays a match for his/her team, he/she will receive written match notification from the coach ± 2 days prior to the match.  If he/she does not receive such notification, he/she has not been selected for that match.  If the coach is not a staff member, the written notification will be given to him/her by Mr Francois Roux, the sport organizer.

At the beginning of the season, your child will receive a fixture list of the matches which will be played.  This is also available on the web page www.durbieland.com.   We kindly request you not to make arrangements to go away for the weekend when your child is playing a match.

TRANSPORT

General

We are proud of the fact that it has never been necessary for us to hire buses to transport learners to matches, as our parents are always willing to assist in this regard.  We would like to encourage you to support your children by attending their matches.  It creates a pleasant atmosphere.

After the learners have received written match notification, they all assemble in the hall the following day where arrangements are made for the children who do not have transport.  A learner’s place in the team will not be jeopardized if the parent is unable to offer transport.

Swimming

If your son/daughter does not have transport to the swimming pool at Durbanville High School, you must make personal arrangements with a friend or the swimming organizer for your child to be transported to the pool.  There are many willing parents who would gladly assist you in this regard. 

Hockey

We offer our learners a weekly opportunity to practise on a rotational basis on the astro-turf of Fairmont High School.  The U/14A teams will have the opportunity to practise on astro-turf once a week and the other practice for that week, will be on grass.  We request you to arrange for your child to be transported to Fairmont High School by other parents in the team, if you are unable to do so yourself.

Sport achievements

In 2009 many sport achievements went by unnoticed.  We therefore, request you to send your child’s sport achievements to our sport organiser by e-mail : sport@durbieland.com or to fax it to : (021) 976-7160.  This year, it is our aim to display all important achievements on our web page or on the school communicator.  We need your co-operation in this regard, as this will ensure the success thereof.

Cancellation of practices and matches

Cancellations will be kept to the minimum.  Durbanville Primary School never cancels a match unless the weather conditions necessitate this.  You will be informed if a match is cancelled. 

SMS SYSTEM

Last year the sms system worked very well.  We are planning to refine the system by creating groups, so that the sms is only sent to the parents of a particular group.  The system only makes provision for one parent’s cell phone number and we therefore, request you to make sure that the correct person’s number is provided.  On rainy days an sms will be sent at ± 13:00.

Durbanville greetings

A. Winterbach                                                             J.C. Swart

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT : SPORT                                    PRINCIPAL