Olympic star visits school
Matamata Christian School capped off its Olympirua games last Wednesday with a visit from Olympic gold medallist Sarah Ulmer.
The New Zealand cyclist spent close to an hour talking to the students about her Olympic experiences and answering questions.
She told them how fighting with her brother had been the perfect training ground and that it took years of hard work to make it to the top level.
‘‘You have to be determined, committed to your sport and never let anything stand in your way.’’ There was a buzz of excitement as she passed around her Olympic gold medal, before presenting some of the students with their own Olympirua medals.
The school holds the Olympirua games every two years – hence the name – to coincide with the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Principal Alistair Paterson said holding their own games helped to capture the moment of these massive international events.
Starting with an opening ceremony and the lighting of the torch, the students have spent the last term competing in track and field events including the school cross-country.
Special medals were awarded to three students who showed outstanding sportsmanship in five key areas: Fair play, pursuit of excellence, joy of effort, respect for others, and balance of body, mind and character.
The gold medal was awarded to year 8 student Danielle Engel- brecht, silver went to year 4 student Ruby Prebble and the bronze medal was won by year 6 student Fletcher Lambert.