Olympics of a different kind

Countries from around the world were well represented at the Matamata Domain recently.

Matamata Primary School commemorated the Olympics, with an all inclusive sports day.

Each class chose a country to represent and research, excluding New Zealand. They were encouraged to dress in their country’s colours and wave flags during the event.

Juniors participated in the morning, assisted by the seniors as leaders, with the middle and senior class competing in the afternoon. Medals were awarded to winning teams upon completion.

Matamata Primary School acting principal Jenny Gellen says the day was a learning exercise about the spirit of the Olympics, including being a good sportsperson and it was a huge success.

They held their Olympics in teams of 11, made up of students representing a different country. Gellen says participating as a team meant no one was excluded.

The juniors did the same events as middle and seniors, just at a slightly different level. However seniors were involved in leadership roles for the juniors part of the day.

‘‘The leadership role is important in a primary school.

‘‘The seniors really do look after the juniors and all the kids in school. It was explained what makes a good leader, and every one of them stepped up,’’ says Gellen.