Dear Colleagues
Our final Networking Meeting of the year for PE and Sports staff will take place on Friday 17th May, 1-4pm. These meetings are an added benefit to your membership of Thanet Passport and as always they are not just an opportunity to catch up on the latest developments and share expertise with like-minded colleagues, but also to find out about new opportunities and offers to schools. As such we are hoping to have representatives from Scorcha Skate School, a local Skateboarding enterprise, as well as Infinity Tennis. As always, refreshments are provided and cover for your attendance counts as eligible expenditure from your school's Sports Premium. Please confirm your attendance with me, garybcrees@gmail.com , as soon as possible. Venue will be confirmed nearer the time.
The entry form for the Y3/4 Orienteering event is attached, which will take place at the Ursuline on Tuesday 21st May, 4-5.30pm and there is no limit on the number of teams that can enter. All entries should be sent to Stephanie Selsby (NOT ME!), sgo@ursuline.kent.sch.uk . Entries close at midnight on Friday 10th May. Spectators are not permitted at this event.
Also attached is the entry form for the Tennis Masterclass, which will be held at Margate Tennis Club on Thursday 23rd May, 4.00-5.30pm. This taster event is designed to help develop players' skills before they take part in the mini-tennis tournaments in Term 6 and is not suitable for those who already play at a good level for their age. Schools can bring a Y3/4 team, or a Y5/6 team or a mixture of both. There is space for a maximum of 10 teams and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Entries should be sent to Stephanie (NOT ME!), sgo@ursuline.kent.sch.uk , no earlier than 7.30am on Friday 3rd May 2024. Closing date for entries is midnight on Friday 10th May 2024. Parent spectators are allowed at this event.
TENNIS FOR GIRLS
Staying on the theme of Tennis, Infinity Tennis have approached us with the following information which I'm sure will be of interest. Please share it as widely as possible.
We are excited to announce our collaborative effort to increase girls' participation in tennis within and across Thanet. As part of our mission, we are offering Prime Video Girls Only tennis sessions at two locations:
Tuesdays at Broadstairs and St Peter’s Lawn Tennis Club at 4.30pm for 8yrs to 11yrs old. It starts from the 30th April 2024.
To join:
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/InfinityTennis/BookCourse/5ad7baf3-bd8b-4282-bbc3-a6d164d55841
Thursday at Margate Lawn Tennis Club at 4.30pm for girls aged 4 to 8 years old. It starts on the 2nd May.
To join:
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/InfinityTennis/BookCourse/8011dca4-308d-4731-bb18-1035e54655f2
Here's what the offer includes:
Six tennis lessons designed to introduce and develop tennis skills.
A complimentary tennis racket to kickstart their journey in tennis.
A stylish T-shirt for them to wear during their sessions.
Tennis balls to practice and play with.
All of this is available for just £35, providing an incredible opportunity for girls to engage in a new sport, build friendships, and discover a fulfilling hobby. We believe that participation in sports like tennis can have a profound impact on a child's physical health, social skills, and overall well-being. By joining our Prime Video Girls Only Tennis Sessions, girls will not only learn valuable tennis skills but also have the chance to form lasting friendships and develop a love for the sport.
This year's Conference is scheduled for 5th June 2024. The booking is open and more information can be found HERE. The PE & Sport Premium Funding can be used to cover the cost of the ticket, your travel and to cover you being out of school for the day!
Sadly I have been informed of a couple of instances recently of poor behaviour form both parents and players, including some verbal and racial abuse. This is, of course, totally unacceptable and mercifully rare at most Passport events. I know that school staff always try to promote fair play, sportsmanship and respect for opponents and officials, but sometimes people need reminding that sport is there to be enjoyed by all. I would hope that abuse of any kind would always be challenged by school staff, and to help you in this endeavour Thanet Passport drew up a Code of Conduct many years ago for coaches, officials, players and spectators. This can be found on our website, but I have attached a copy to this Update. Please feel free to share it!
Finally, please remember that by entering a Thanet Passport event you are making a commitment. Subsequent withdrawal can cause many problems, especially if done with little notice, as fixtures will already have been sent out and medals ordered, plus there might be schools on a waiting list if the event is over-subscribed. Obviously last minute illness amongst staff or children cannot be foreseen, although even then it doesn't hurt to think about a back-up plan if this were to happen. In order to help schools with this issue, Thanet Passport has also drawn up a Pre-Entry Protocol document and a useful Checklist of things to do once you have entered. I have attached copies for your convenience, which can also be found under the Documents section on our website. In short, if you are not sure that you will have enough players or staff available to take part, please do not enter an event!
Best Wishes
Gary Rees
Chairman & Administrator
Thanet Primary Association for School Sport
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