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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that Sport's Day shouldn't be like this?

89 replies

SportsDay · 24/06/2022 09:18

My kid is in Yr1. No Sports Day in Reception due to covid. Got his first one today.

Got an email from the school yesterday to say that the kids did 'heats' last week and only those who passed the heats will take part in today's 'final'.

I've taken annual leave so I can go and now I won't get to see him do a race because he didn't pass the heat.

I don't mind it being competitive, but I think they should have done the heats and finals on the same day so all the mums and dad could see their kid race. Or told us sooner that only some kids would race. My kid really wanted to take part. I don't care if he comes last, I just wanted to see him race and he wanted to have a go.

Is this a normal Sports Day? He's my eldest so we've not had a Sport day before.

YABU - this is a good way to do Sport Day
YANBU - this is a terrible way to do Sports Day

OP posts:
PeachCottonTree · 24/06/2022 18:36

Is it a large school? Our sports day is split over two days to fit everything in. Youngest 4 years one day and oldest 3 years the following day. Everyone gets a chance to run but parents with children in both year groups need to take two days off work or pick which child they’re coming to watch.

whereeverilaymycat · 24/06/2022 18:37

Whowhatwherewhenwhynow · 24/06/2022 18:26

I’m interested in people commenting on the competitiveness and exclusivity of events like sports day. Is that not the case in most areas of the curriculum. Even at a young age children know which childten in their class are good or bad at Math, they know which kids have got their pen license and which haven’t….even bloody attendance is competitive with some children “achieving” or not.

I’m not disagreeing with these points btw. I just think the rest of school is the same.

I think you're right. The reason that putting kids off of exercise/sport really annoys me, is that it's a fundamental thing we need to do for physical and mental well-being.
Arguably if you're not great at maths, you can look for a career / live a life that doesn't hinge on it. But if you're not good at competitive sport and given no alternative ways to enjoy exercise, then you could undermine a key part of living a healthy life. If that makes sense?!

Whowhatwherewhenwhynow · 24/06/2022 18:50

@whereeverilaymycat I get your point. I do think the same could be said for other subjects though. A child who is put off reading because they’re embarrassed by being on yellow band when their friends are on all red might start avoiding reading and down the line end up as an adult without basic reading skills needed for most jobs or life admin. I work in a men’s prison and the amount who have very poor reading and writing skills is shocking. I can’t imagine how they get basic stuff done like applying for jobs.

I wish schools took less of a reward and punishment approach all around and instead just encouraged children to take risks, give things a go and not be afraid of failure. Teach that some things you’ll be great at, some things you won’t be great at, but trying is worthwhile and fun. Instead everything comes with a sticker, certificate, set, teachers award…..or not.

maybe schools would benefit from having more of a summer fair for all children that families enjoy where they try new sports/activities and separately still encourage those great at sports though competitions that are separate.

whereeverilaymycat · 24/06/2022 18:56

@Whowhatwherewhenwhynow very good point and good idea!

starfishmummy · 24/06/2022 19:16

hammsalllad · 24/06/2022 10:19

When I was in primary each child got a card on a string to wear around their neck and it had pictures of different sports/games

Things like rounders, egg and spoon, mini races, sack race etc

Everyone was put into teams and worked their way around the stations together and got a sticker for their card each time they did an activity.

It was fun, mildly competitive but not to the point it caused upset, there was no choosing teams and having anyone picked last, it was just a nice day.

This is what sports day is about , not picking the best and leaving the others out.

My sin's school did the stations thing too. But each child only did 3 things and DS's were always over quickly with lots of hanging round and nothing to do - because they weren't really interested in, nor encouraged to, watch the other kids.

Original poster
SportsDay · 24/06/2022 19:43

It was awful!

Maybe 10% of kids took part. All the others had to sit on the school field in year groups for two hours watching.

Yr 1s couldn't do it. Constantly getting up and down, wandering on to the running track and teachers trying to get them to come back. They were so bored! One yr 1 teacher let some of them have a school ipad and be a 'Sports Day Photographer' for a bit each. Think she was desparate to entertain them.

Lots of unhappy kids and parents.

OP posts:
Original poster
SportsDay · 24/06/2022 19:45

Oh, and some kids got to do theee or four things and got three or four medals!

OP posts:
Anjo2011 · 24/06/2022 22:24

That’s dreadful. If it’s anything like our school they constantly say how inclusive everything thing is whilst the total opposite is happening in some areas. Who makes these decisions I wonder. It should be about enjoying the camaraderie of being with your school mates, having fun and the children witnessing the benefits of exercise. It shouldn’t be for a select group of children to be showcased. That’s not inclusive.

Gruffling · 26/06/2022 14:40

'maybe schools would benefit from having more of a summer fair for all children that families enjoy where they try new sports/activities and separately still encourage those great at sports though competitions that are separate.'

Yes! This is a great idea and would be so much more inclusive, whilst still providing an event that parents can attend.

riesenrad · 26/06/2022 14:47

SportsDay · 24/06/2022 09:53

I don't mind competitive. I just wish all the kids could have a go.

But they did, they had heats beforehand. My son's school did this too, I thought it was normal.

1VY · 26/06/2022 14:52

BellaTheDarkOverlord · 24/06/2022 09:42

That's not fun at all especially considering their age. It should be normal egg and spoon race, sack race and splitting it up into small groups so all the kids get a turn. My kids school did this. Smaller groups and everyone got to take a turn. At that age it doesn't matter who wins just taking part and having fun.

Exactly this.

Otherwise you are giving the message that sport is only for the fastest, and that’s usually just a few boys.

Whereas its about fun, exercise, teamwork, skill development amend building self esteem for every child.

WGACA · 26/06/2022 14:53

That is appalling. I would write a letter of complaint to Chair of Governors.

Original poster
SportsDay · 26/06/2022 20:35

riesenrad · 26/06/2022 14:47

But they did, they had heats beforehand. My son's school did this too, I thought it was normal.

Show quote history

True. But they could have done heats and finals on the same day with parents there. That's how my school did it when I was a kid.

OP posts:
Original poster
SportsDay · 27/06/2022 11:18

WGACA · 26/06/2022 14:53

That is appalling. I would write a letter of complaint to Chair of Governors.

How would I know who that is? I hate complaining. I hope someone else does.

OP posts:
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