Sport may well develop character but it certainly reveals it!

The Activities Days held in the first term of the school year are extremely popular.  The overwhelming majority of ASMS students engage in a very positive, good humoured and active fashion. As always, the planning and central organisation of the day is a collaborative activity involving a both staff and students with the Year 12 IT studies class, for example, generally taking charge of data recording and analysis.

The day provides opportunities equally for serious athletes and also for those who are encouraged just to take part in team games or novelty events.  Focus is on healthy physical activity allied with further development of the positive and constructive relationships that exist amongst students and staff at the ASMS.

There is a basic track and field program which includes 100, 200, 400 and 1500 m runs as well as the triple, long and high jumps with a vortex throw representing throwing events. In addition, tutor group based teams play volleyball, petanque and lacrosse and there are a number of novelty events which have included the tug-o’-war, sack races, three legged races and water balloon throwing.  These latter activities do not generally require high levels of specific skills for our standard of play and so are accessible to all students.  Staff members compete with their tutor groups.

The emphasis is on participation rather than competition but, just to add some focus for the day and to provide the opportunity for students to appear in weird and wonderful garb, colour based teams are created afresh each year and a championship awarded.  There is also a champion tutor group.

Students with a more serious interest and aptitude in athletics have used the day to display their talents and have gone on to be selected in ASMS athletics teams competing at Santos Stadium in inter-school competition where many perform with distinction.  The rest just enjoy the day (as well as the free barbecue lunch).

Doubtless, as with all of our activities, this day will develop and change over the years but its central aim will continue to be to provide another opportunity for ASMS students to display their positive characteristics as they do in so many other areas.