Thinking sports day is awful

Toarrie · 2023-06-08T22:08:37+00:00

First experience of sports day and honestly isn’t it just awful for the children who aren’t fast runners? They have to run in front of loads of parents but schools wouldn’t dare making slow learners read to loads of parents. Trying to console a very upset 5 year old who can’t understand why they don’t do competitions for the things they are good at. now I completely understand not everyone can win but our school didn’t even do races by ability so put in 1 very slow runner with 4 that represent the school competitively

JustGeorgie · 08/06/2023 23:09

5 year olds representing the school competitively?

snitzelvoncrumb · 08/06/2023 23:10

if they don’t like sports day, just keep them home.

Harping · 08/06/2023 23:11

Yes it is awful. My child normally wins and even he dislikes sports day cos of all the pressure of parents watching. I don’t see much joy for the kids at all.

lifeturnsonadime · 08/06/2023 23:11

Is your son more academic? Sports day can be great for kids who aren't good in the classroom but can run fast. The kids who don't win best work sometimes get the sports medals.

Not everyone can be good at everything.

Lateliein · 08/06/2023 23:11

Buckle in you've got years of this ahead. It's one day, who cares. Kids need to learn they can't win everything 🤷

BrutusMcDogface · 08/06/2023 23:13

In my experience, and I’ve been a teacher for nearly 20 years (omg😱) there are races that are suitable for slower runners. In every school I’ve worked at, the races have been chosen for the individual eg obstacle, relay, sprint and then fun races like a “dressing up race” for children who aren’t fast runners.

I hated sports day with a passion when I was at school but it’s much better and more inclusive now. I’m sorry your little one has had a bad experience.

Emeraldrings · 08/06/2023 23:14

No it's horrible. Hated it as a child and parent . Like you said they wouldn't do it for academic stuff so why is it okay to humiliate children who aren't fast runners. And before someone says it no it's not fun and is only considered fun if you or your children are great at PE.
YANBU. Sports day should be abolished or at least children should be allowed to opt out.

Harping · 08/06/2023 23:14

In my experience the kids that are academic are often good at sports too. It’s strange how people think all the sporty kids are likely not very academic. It’s just a cliche really. Many kids struggle with both

Original poster

Toarrie · 08/06/2023 23:15

We had 2 races - straight running and sack race. Nothing fun for those that are slow So not inclusive in the slightest

OP posts:

Original poster

Toarrie · 08/06/2023 23:16

Harping · 08/06/2023 23:14

In my experience the kids that are academic are often good at sports too. It’s strange how people think all the sporty kids are likely not very academic. It’s just a cliche really. Many kids struggle with both

Yes those that won are the high achievers

OP posts:

TomatoSandwiches · 08/06/2023 23:16

I think it's good for children, especially the ones that are great physically yet struggle with certain academic skills.
It's a great opportunity to talk about taking part, enjoying something just because you like it not because you are good at it, practicing new skills, learning to be a good sportsman.
Lots of valuable lessons if you approach it in the right way.

Original poster

Toarrie · 08/06/2023 23:16

Emeraldrings · 08/06/2023 23:14

No it's horrible. Hated it as a child and parent . Like you said they wouldn't do it for academic stuff so why is it okay to humiliate children who aren't fast runners. And before someone says it no it's not fun and is only considered fun if you or your children are great at PE.
YANBU. Sports day should be abolished or at least children should be allowed to opt out.

I am so glad I am not alone

OP posts:

Emeraldrings · 08/06/2023 23:17

lifeturnsonadime · 08/06/2023 23:11

Is your son more academic? Sports day can be great for kids who aren't good in the classroom but can run fast. The kids who don't win best work sometimes get the sports medals.

Not everyone can be good at everything.

The kids who don't win beat work aren't expected to show their work to the school and all the parents. It's not the same thing.

lifeturnsonadime · 08/06/2023 23:17

Harping · 08/06/2023 23:14

In my experience the kids that are academic are often good at sports too. It’s strange how people think all the sporty kids are likely not very academic. It’s just a cliche really. Many kids struggle with both

That's just as much of a cliche.

My daughter who is not in mainstream for SEN reasons competes for the county in her sport.

She was never going to win the writing prize but she could win a race. Same with drama and music places. All are important. Not everyone can do well everything.

lifeturnsonadime · 08/06/2023 23:18

Emeraldrings · 08/06/2023 23:17

The kids who don't win beat work aren't expected to show their work to the school and all the parents. It's not the same thing.

Show quote history

Oh really at my DDs primary school they used to pin the best work on the wall.
She never won any of the best work prizes but was good at sport.

TomatoSandwiches · 08/06/2023 23:19

Toarrie · 08/06/2023 23:15

We had 2 races - straight running and sack race. Nothing fun for those that are slow So not inclusive in the slightest

That's not usual ime, why don't you talk to the governors and see if they can incorporate some different or varied skill leveled games for next year and make it something to look forward to?
You could suggest a pupil survey.

Original poster

Toarrie · 08/06/2023 23:20

Our school aren’t even honest about what level of reading group they are in but happy to make them run (and lose by a mile) in front of all the parents

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LifeIsPainHighness · 08/06/2023 23:21

YANBU.

What bothers me is that if you have a child who is a great academic achiever you can’t say anything because it makes the other kids feel bad. But at sports day the sporty fast kids get cheered and handed a medal 🙄

Justcallmebebes · 08/06/2023 23:21

Loved sports day. Daughters hated it. I'm v sporty, they're not and I always won mothers race. Just reminded eldest DD of that so thanks for the post and the memories

Lisdeflores · 08/06/2023 23:22

I hate sports day it's been a miserable experience in the last 5 years of my child's primary education. DC will run park run with me and take part in junior park run .So it's not a case of hating all physical activity it's just that they hate the competitive nature of sports day. I also hated sports day at school you would think that in the 40 years since I left school they would of come up with something less anxiety provoking for many children.

Livinginanotherworld · 08/06/2023 23:22

TomatoSandwiches · 08/06/2023 23:16

I think it's good for children, especially the ones that are great physically yet struggle with certain academic skills.
It's a great opportunity to talk about taking part, enjoying something just because you like it not because you are good at it, practicing new skills, learning to be a good sportsman.
Lots of valuable lessons if you approach it in the right way.

I agree with this totally.

Kids do need to learn that they don’t have to win every time they take part in something and that different children are good at different things. Make it fun and all about taking part, or your kids will pick up on your disappointment.

Simianwalk · 08/06/2023 23:22

Tbh the endless testing they have (where they all seem to know who got what) every frigging term it feels like is far more hard for them.

Bucketheadbucketbum · 08/06/2023 23:23

OP it sounds like you don't like it because your child didn't win

Maybe try and teach them taking part and being active is a win and focus less on the result

Can't be good at everything

Too many obese kids around sport and exercise needs to be championed and celebrated wherever possible

lifeturnsonadime · 08/06/2023 23:23

LifeIsPainHighness · 08/06/2023 23:21

YANBU.

What bothers me is that if you have a child who is a great academic achiever you can’t say anything because it makes the other kids feel bad. But at sports day the sporty fast kids get cheered and handed a medal 🙄

This is interesting. When my DC was at primary school there was loads of passive aggressiveness about the reading levels and what table they sat on.

When my DC did well at sports day it felt like a leveller of sorts.

Screamingabdabz · 08/06/2023 23:24

We have these threads every year. The competitive dicks will come out in force and say how it’s good that kids to realise life is one big competition and so what if your loser kid is a big ol’ cry baby. Then there are the normal people who think this watered down hunger games of annual humiliation should have no place in modern education.