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School sports days - agree or disagree

(158 Posts)
Vintagejazz Tue 28-Jun-22 08:39:39

My friend's daughter is keeping her non sporty child at home this Friday because she gets so upset at being humiliated every sports day by trailing in last at everything and in front of all the pupils and parents. My friend disagrees with this approach saying her GD is bright academically and has to learn you can't be good at everything.

But I don't think non sporty kids necessarily want to win medals, just not to have their lack of ability on public show. I mean, we don't ask children who can't sing to stand up in front of the whole school plus parents and sing a solo from The Sound of Music off tune, regardless of how bright they are academically.

cazmum Wed 29-Jun-22 19:35:23

Well said. As the mother of a very intelligent child, now an MA, I agree and made the same singing comparison to her PE teacher at the time.

Bossyrossy Wed 29-Jun-22 19:47:04

At my school we had a teachers race. As the oldest member of staff I usually came last, much to everyone’s amusement as I was the head. We all had a good laugh about it and I think it taught everyone that it didn’t matter if you didn’t win, it’s the taking part that counts.

Lyng17 Wed 29-Jun-22 19:53:00

I was a bright child but useless at sports. But although you could be laughed at and mocked for coming last or missing a catch woe betide anyone who laughed at someone who came bottom in spelling or fluffed reading out loud. It seemed really unfair and I used to beg to stay at home on sports day. Was made to go though and I don't think it taught me anything but how biased some teachers could be.

Aveline Wed 29-Jun-22 19:54:03

I always remember Peter Ustinov talking about schooldays at his obviously very posh school - they had a chauffeurs race!grin

Joseanne Thu 30-Jun-22 08:31:02

DD has been limbering up all night for Sports Day number 2. She can't possibly let the side down again, only 1st place will do.
Joking apart, I can't see why KS1 and KS2 have to have separate days, it's only a small school and parents have work commitments. (There was no way I was going to offer to go in her place incase I had to run.)

Riggie Thu 30-Jun-22 14:10:18

I dont remember much about primary school ones ans secondary school had them on Saturdays so it was easy not to go!. I wasn't at all sporty and don't remember being made to enter anything at all unless I wanted to - which I didn't.

MissAdventure Thu 30-Jun-22 14:14:42

My boys primary school gave a demonstration of sports skills; no competition, no winners or losers.
Just hours of watching children fiddling about with hulahoops and stuff.
Boring!