2020 will see some changes to our School Swimming and Athletics Carnivals. From next year we will be removing the limit of the number of participants that can compete in an event per house, there will now be unlimited entries allowed from each house. This change has been implemented in order to increase participation and ensure that we are able to select the best team for the Interschool Carnivals as all students will be given the opportunity to compete. Next year will also see the introduction of the School Spirit Shield which will be awarded to the house that accumulates the most points from the following categories:

• Participation numbers
• Student volunteer numbers
• Presentation of House area (cleanliness, house pride and decorations)
• War cry/ House chant
• House warm-up
• Novelty events
• Additional points awarded to students demonstrating the School Values (PRIDE)

The Championship Shield will be awarded to the house with the most points accumulated from 1^st to 8^th placings from the U14-U21 age group events. An Overall Shield will be introduced and awarded to the house that accumulates the most points from the School Spirit and Championship categories.

Swimming Carnival will return to an all-day event next year to ensure adequate time for all races, novelty events and the Teacher vs House Captains vs Parents race. Students that do not wish to participate in the Swimming Carnival will stay at school for a modified education program. Athletics Carnival will continue with a similar format to previous years but will be held on the main school oval (Wallace Street) next year due to the deteriorating condition of the gym oval.

Next year interested students will have the opportunity to compete in the School Sport SA Secondary Swimming Championship at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre as an individual entry. The Individual Day will be held on Monday the 24^th of February, please contact Miss Schahinger for further information if you are interested in competing.

This year Governing Council approved and formalised our School Sport Participation Policy which states that students must seek approval from their teachers to participate in School Sport and meet appropriate academic and behavioural expectations. The Policy also states that students will commit and participate to the best of their ability in any sporting team they have been selected for unless they are granted an exemption because of medical reasons or personal reasons which they have notified to the coach in a timely manner. Consequences of failing to meet the above can result in the ineligibility of the student participating in any further sporting events. The full policy is included for your reference.

Keep an eye out for the first newsletter of next year for important dates of the 2020 Swimming and Athletics Carnivals and Term 1 Knockout Sports Competitions.

Alison Schahinger

2020 Sports Coordinator

SPORT PARTICIPATION POLICY

Balaklava High School students are able to participate in a range of sporting events throughout the year. These events include School Athletics and Swimming Carnivals, Knockout Sports and lunchtime activities.  Following participation in these Carnivals students may be selected to represent the school at Lower North or Adelaide Athletics and Swimming Carnivals. These activities are provided to promote and develop sporting excellence in students.

Participation in all teams must be approved by BHS staff and students must meet appropriate academic and behavioural expectations for approval to be granted.  Students must also complete and submit a Co-curricular Activity Planned Absence Sheet to the supervising teacher one day prior to event or they will be unable to participate.

Participation in school sport should be seen as a privilege and an opportunity for students to further enrich their schooling life.  Successful selection in an Interschool or Lower North teams, as per the values of the school, should see students commit and participate to their best of the ability for themselves, the school and their peers.

Exemption from participation in sporting events will only occur when:

• Medical exemption with evidence and parent/caregiver signature provided to the organising teacher
• Excuse deemed reasonable and timely with parent/caregiver signature by the organising teacher

The following actions will be deemed unacceptable in relation to Interschool and Lower North sport:

• Unreasonable excuse/s for non-participation
• Lack of, or late communication regarding non-participation
• Unsportsmanlike behaviour, or, any other behaviour that may/can put the school in disrepute when participating
• Withdrawing from selected events when in attendance

The consequence for the above actions can result in ineligibility from Knockout events for the particular school year or as determined by the HPE staff and Sports Coordinator.