The excitement of Paris 2024 became tangible across Wesley last month when our Junior Schools each staged their own special Mini Olympics. This was their first experience of the Olympics for many young students, and the hands-on introduction via their own multi-event celebration was a magnificent way to learn about this unique event in the world of sport.
On a glorious winter’s afternoon in early August, the whole Junior School at Elsternwick Campus came together to compete in baton relays, hurdles, balloon volleyball and egg and spoon races. In true Olympic spirit, students demonstrated respect and friendship while having great fun participating in all the games.
Elanor from Year 2 said, ‘I really liked the egg and spoon race because I was able to practise being precise and not necessarily speedy,’ while Thomas from Year 3 liked the hurdles best. ‘We got to challenge ourselves by choosing the type of hurdles we could jump,’ he said. ‘I also really liked the relay as we raced against our friends and it kept going and going and going.’
At the St Kilda Road Junior School Campus, students started the day by watching a variety of events in Paris, including Wesley's own Jemima Montag’s (OW2016) bronze medal-winning race walks to get into the spirit of the day. Head of Wesley Rowing and Olympic silver medallist, Matt Ryan, also stopped by to talk about his own Olympic experiences and further inspire our mini-Olympians.
Then it was out into the playground ‘arena’ for eight quirky events inspired by swimming, rowing, shot put, cycling, steeplechase, artistic gymnastics and breakdancing.
‘My favourite event was ‘swimming’ because the (skate)boards were fast and moveable,’ said Taewoo (Year 3), while Ray (Year 1) especially enjoyed the shot put. When asked why, he didn’t hesitate. ‘I like throwing stuff!'
‘It was a great way to bring our community together to celebrate this global sporting event,’ said PYP Head of Learning, Ryan Ogden.
Meanwhile at the Glen Waverley Campus, while our young participants were from Prep only, the Mini Olympics was bigger than Ben Hur. As the athletes paraded around the Sports Centre during their opening ceremony, they were met with applause from the crowd of teachers and parents. Special guests Jodie Dobson (OW1987) and Victoria Kahn (OW1999) both shared their Olympic experiences - Jodie as a rowing finalist at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and Victoria as team physiotherapist at the 2012, 2016 and 2024 Games. They then grandly proclaimed: ‘Let the games begin!’
And begin they did! Physical Education teacher Frank Concilia had organised the activities to complement the students’ learning theme of ‘push and pull’, so the excited athletes rotated through events like the box push race, sled pull, balloon push, and pull the flag. The grand finale, a tug of war, saw both students and parents in action!
‘I liked how the parents needed to join in the tug of war too!’ said Prep student, Angie.
