Scotch College

Junior School Olympics steal Beijing’s thunder

There was plenty of excitement at the Junior School Olympics – and then there was Beijing!

WORDS: Ms Bronwyn Dandie and Mr Brian Sampson

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games were heralded as one of the most spectacular Games ever held. It was lucky for Olympic organisers that our own Scotch College Junior School Olympic Games didn’t steal their thunder. Our Games certainly received enormous accolades from those who were privileged enough to witness the extravaganza.

Our Olympics provided boys with the background knowledge to ensure they understood the rationale of the Games, the history, the symbolism and the sports, while establishing foundation information about the host nation.

All Junior School boys from Prep to Year 6 were allocated to a multi-aged group to participate in some cultural, artistic and sporting endeavour. The groups were based around the five Olympic colours and the sports represented at this year’s Games.

The boys created T-shirts to depict their sport, masks to enhance their involvement in their team and mascots to reflect their understanding of the five mascots relating to the traditions of the host nation. Medals were also created to heighten the whole Olympic experience. In addition to these activities, all boys participated in an artist-in-residence program to create a large Chinese dragon in their art classes.

Our opening ceremony encompassed the essential elements of any Olympic ceremony: the flag bearers, raising the Olympic flag, the procession of athletes, the athletes’ oath, the lighting of the flame and of course the entertainment – Chinese drummers and a Chinese lion – that obviously inspired the Beijing ceremony.

After lunch the competition began, with all boys participating in a number of modified activities to represent swimming, basketball, gymnastics, hockey, rowing, athletics, shot put, archery, hurdles or wrestling. The boys exhibited true Olympic spirit with their endeavour and sportsmanship.

When the Olympics finally began, boys of all ages watching on television knew what to expect and could anticipate all the components of the Games – enjoying the celebrations all over again! GS