The Olympic Spirit Shines at Lake Heights Public School

Olympic medal ceremony

The Olympic Spirit shone brightly at Lake Heights Pubic School last Friday when students, families and friends gathered for a Mini Olympics day. The Olympic values of friendship, fair play and community were all evident as students took part in their version of the 2008 games.

Commencing with a “Parade of Nations”, each class representing a different country marched behind their flag with pride and much excitement. Flag bearers formed a guard around the school’s version of the Olympic cauldron as spectators, some of whom were teary-eyed, awaited the arrival of the flame.

To the moving sounds of “The Olympic Hymn” and “Chariots of Fire” torch bearers passed the flame from one country’s runner to the next until it reached the cauldron. It was at this time that the secret identity of the student to light the cauldron was revealed. Representing China, Samantha Spence took this honour as she emerged wearing traditional costume. She raised the torch to a cheering crowd then lit the cauldron which continued to burn until it was extinguished by Jade Smith at the closing of the games.

Competitors took part in events with similar enthusiasm and state of mind to that of the Olympic athletes they have been studying in class. From gumboot to hammer throw, to newspaper hockey, target shooting, hurdles and soft-put, each event posed new challenges that students approached with vigour. Everyone worked up an appetite for the sausage sizzle lunch and goodies served up by canteen volunteers.

At the end of the games it was France who beat Australia to first place. Points were awarded throughout the day for participation and sportsmanship. However, at the medal ceremony everyone was a winner. All participants earned gold and everyone was unanimous that the day was a huge success – one of our best.

Surrounded by the flags of each nation, Samantha Spence lights the cauldron

Left: Andrew Carter and Luke Hagerty carried the torch for France
Right: In 2nd place, Kindergarten representing Australia 

Left: In 3rd place, Year 1 representing Estonia 
Right: Year 1 representing Estonia

Children are already asking, “When can we do it again?” The 2010 Commonwealth Games seem too far away. Such is the Olympic Spirit. It makes memories and brings out so many people’s best.

Courtesy Peter Heddles Principal Lake Heights Public School

Wolves 15s in the Grand Final

The Wollongong Wolves under 15s continued their domination of the Premier Youth League Competition last weekend. Having topped the table in the preliminary rounds they took on Blacktown in the major semi-final and prevailed 1 nil.

The Wolves now progress directly to the grand final on August 30. In the minor semi-final Marconi Stallions defeated APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2 - 1 in extra time after it was one all at the end of normal time.

Marconi now meets Blacktown next weekend for the right to meet Wollongong in the grand final.

Junior Cricket registration days for 2008-09 season

Junior Registration for the 2008/09 Season will be happening on three Saturdays - 23rd August, 30th August and 6th September.
For details on locations and times for clubs go to www.cricketnsw.com.au/ijca.
Then click on the club you want on the right hand side of this page.

Illawarra Junior Cricket Representative Trials

Cricket Illawarra has announced the dates and locations for junior representative trials. The Association informs ALL parents and players the representative trials will start at the nominated start time and the 30 minutes prior to the start is for you to make sure that you have registered. Also please make sure you attend your right age group trial as these are the only trials the Association will be having.

U16's  will be at North Dalton Park on 6th September 12.30pm for a 1.00pm start till 3pm.
U12's  will be at Figtree Oval on 7th September 8.30am for a 9.00am start till 12 noon.
U13's will be at Figtree Oval on 7th September 8.30am for a 9.00am start till 12 noon.
U14's will be at Figtree Oval on 14th September 8.30am for a 9.00am start till 12 noon. 
U15's will be at Figtree Oval on 14th September 8.30am for a 9.00am start till 12 noon.

Top teams have their day in Illawarra Baseball

The top two teams on the 2008 Illawarra Baseball League premiership table recorded emphatic wins in round 19 fixtures played on Saturday.

First placed Wests Cardinals sealed the minor premiership, their fourth in five years, with an 11-1 score at Cringila Community Park and second placed Berkeley Eagles accounted for Bulli Pirates 12-1 at Fred Finch Park, Berkeley. Both games saw the ten run rule applied in the seventh innings.

Cardinals got away to a big start with three runs in the first inning on a double by Graham Fulcher that cleared the bases. Fulcher went on the make the most of his designated hitter role by batting in six runs on a 2 from 3 batting performance.  Cardinals ran away with the scoring by adding two runs in each of the last four innings.

Jamie Simon pitched all seven innings for the Red Birds conceding one earned run on nine scattered hits. The Braves pitching was well off the mark all game conceding a combined 13 walks.

Braves outhit Cardinals 9-8 outfielder Evan Hayes continuing his good batting performances of late by registering 3 from 4.

Eagles stamped their mark on the game when five runs crossed the plate in the second. With two outs retired Chris Morgan batted in two runs followed two batters later by Kaine Abbott’s two run double. Joe Anson’s hit accounted for the fifth run.

Anson, who started on the mound for Eagles, pitched four hitless shutout innings and was supported by three other pitchers who combined with an inning each.

Eagles outhit Pirates 15-2, Morgan (3 / 5, 3 RBI’s) and Keith Ward (3 / 4, 2 RBI’s) being well supported by numbers 8 and 9 in the batting order, Josh Doyle and Mick Shipp, who registered two hits each.

First Grade Table – Cardinals 83%, Eagles 69%, Chiefs 50%, Pirates 30%, Braves 20%.

Second Grade Results: Pirates 20 Eagles 16; Cardinals 9 Braves 1; Chiefs 7 Mariners 5

Third Grade Results: Eagles 16 Pirates 6; Cardinals 20 Braves 4; Warriors 9 Chiefs 7

Minor League: Cardinals 21 Braves 9; Pirates 20 Panthers (4) 4

In the final round 20 fixtures this Saturday Dapto Chiefs get their chance for a good run at post season games with a home game at Hector Harvey Reserve, Dapto against Wests Cardinals. Kiama Braves will play their final game of the season at home, Gainsborough Reserve, Kiama Downs, against Berkeley Eagles. Bulli Pirates have a bye in first grade but face Shoalhaven Mariners in lower grade games at Thomas Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow. First grade games commence at 2.15pm.

Illawarra Junior Football Association Finals begin on weekend

The Illawarra Junior Football Association has announced the dates for its final series. They are:

• August 23 & 24 - Semi finals
• August 30 & 31       Finals
• September 6 & 7     Grand Finals
 

Kossie’s Blunt Humour

The A-League kicked off last weekend and Sydney FC had a nil all draw with arch rivals Melbourne Victory. In the A-League program for the weekend there was a short story about the Sydney FC coach John Kosmina. It went as follows:
Envy is a word that doesn’t reside in the dictionary according to John Kosmina. He’s splashed some cash in the off-season, but when asked if he envied the money available to managers in other leagues around the world, his answer was as blunt and forth-coming as we’ve come o expect, and love about Kossie: “I envy Brad Pitt because he sleeps with Angelina Jolie. It’s unrealistic, so I don’t think about it”

Spring Holiday Camps for Kids in October

NSW Sport and Recreation's action-packed kids' holiday camps are run by experienced and well-qualified instructors. Young people learn social living skills, experience challenging activities, develop self-esteem and make new friends. They also have great fun and won’t have a moment to spare!
http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/kidscamps/

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