Lauriston Life Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2015 EDITION 04 | DEC 2015
STAFF PROFILE Sport for life Leanne Guinea and Katie Burns
When looking for something tell them we manage over 50 competitive teams a year,’ During the year, the Executive, in collaboration worthwhile for a young person to do, says Katie. with the Sports and Health and Physical Education teachers, undertook a whole-school review of Sport. playing sport ticks all the boxes. For each team, there are trials, team selection, sign-up, The purpose of the review was to reflect upon all competition entry, appointment of a coach, practice Sport builds character and a healthy mind, and the aspects of the current curriculum offered to students, and then playing the matches. If a team is successful, creation of endorphins triggers a positive feeling in the co-curricular sports program, school facilities and this can then lead to State and National Championships. the body, increasing energy for the rest of the day. future opportunities. During 2016, a strategic plan will
The Lauriston Sports Team follows the Long-Term be developed covering the four pillars of curriculum, Two people who know the benefit of lifelong physical Athlete Development Model or (LTAD) to gradually sport, outdoor and recreation activities, and health activity are Leanne Guinea and Katie Burns, the joint and effectively build skills. A lot of research, practical and wellbeing. Heads of Sport at Lauriston. examples and experience indicate that children will get Leanne has a particular interest in bringing kayaking Leanne is a world-class slalom canoer (a specialist C1 active and stay committed to being active if they do to the School and wants to offer some novel sports paddler) and won a gold medal at the 2009 ICF Canoe the right activities at a suitable time. such as frisbee to test different skills. Slalom World Championships in La Seu D’Urgell, Spain. The LTAD model identifies seven stages of development, ‘Girls are often driven by the social side of sport rather Katie has been playing competitive netball since she each with its own physical, mental, emotional and than the competitive aspect,’ says Katie. ‘The girls who was in primary school and each year sets a number of cognitive characteristics. It is important to know that really master a sport have the extra determination, new sporting goals. Three years ago Katie walked the moving from one stage to another depends on the are more resilient and are willing to work harder,’ gruelling Oxfam 100-kilometre track and has just signed students’ development and not just their age. she adds. ‘They don’t necessarily have the best skills up for the Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge (ROC), ‘By using this model, we have found students have more when they start out – they just keep going.’ which is a five-kilometre fun run complete with a fun, develop better skills, reach higher performance wrecking ball and an inflatable water slide. Whether the girls are part of the running club, do levels and are less likely to drop out,’ says Leanne. aerobics or have a passion for netball – the Lauriston Together they coordinate the busy sports program When asked whether girls have more grit today than Sports Team’s main aim is to develop the students’ across the Junior and Senior Schools, which now when they first started teaching sport, Katie and skills so they can be active for life. consists of 24 competitive and five recreational sports. Leanne reflect on the busy lives current students lead, KATRINA WALTER Katie teaches a variety of sports in Junior School and and the multitude of choices they face. PR Manager Leanne runs 15 classes a week in Senior School. ‘The challenge for many is simply making a decision ‘Teaching a class is tangible but the administration work about what to pursue, yet water polo, netball and behind the sport program is less obvious. People often AFL are very popular,’ says Katie. (Top Right): Katie and Leanne; (Centre Right): Leanne competing on the rapids; ask what is involved and they are surprised when we (Right): Katie on the netball court
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