School sports days - agree or disagree

If it's on the school calendar I think all people should do it. And the teachers are pretty skilful at dealing with any reluctant customers.

I hated school sports day especially at junior school when parents were invited. My parents weren't the attending sort because they both worked and could never afford time off.

At secondary school members of staff would allow well behaved pupils who volunteered to help with end of term jobs. So that got me out of sports day.

I still think it is important that DC learn they can't opt out of something just because it's embarrassing and they don't like it. Especially if they are the child who is very able and succeeds at everything else.

My sons are dyslexic and hated the humiliation of the weekly spelling tests. Reading out loud was terrifying for them. I know this was only embarrassing in front of the teacher and their class mates, but some of the more able spellers did makes nasty comments.

It's once a year.

DGS1 sports day not like that. First one for 2 years last month. Whole upper campus took part, lovely day, cheered on by nursery as was in field beside nursery garden. Children were in classes and did activities like throwing balls, slalom hockey - never done it before and was funny, jumping over a bench. High school pupils were helping. There were house points but no winners/losers in classes. I hated sports days as a child.

My sons' junior school used to have Field Day - in addition to competitive races there were displays such as aerobics to music, gymnastics, ball games etc.

Everyone got to perform without being measured against others.

So should all the not so bright bottom of the class children be kept home on spelling test day, reading to the class day, verbal maths day?

Sounds like a mountain being made out of a molehill to me, having sporty but not sports day sporty children, it’s one afternoon out of the academic year. How does this child cope with PE, swimming etc at school?

As for school performances, with five children I can assure you I have sat through some shockers

On sports day most schools pick the students who are good at sport or at least interested to participate. The rest go as a kind of cheer squad depending on school houses and year levels and I can’t see the problem with that. No bullying or belittling whatsoever.