A new approach to a traditional event has students and staff excited at Invercargill Middle School.  

The school ran its new-look cross-country event this week (Thursday May 20), at Fosbender Park.  

Principal Sarah Read said the purpose of the revamp was to make the event more inclusive and enjoyable for all students.  

“It was about inclusivity, getting everyone involved, and having fun.”  

Instead of the traditional cross country, usually held through Queens Park, the school this year opted for a fun day at Fosbender Park. The fun day involved the children running or walking around a course, as well as a range of fun activities including sessions run by the YMCA, and the Sport Southland “Playler”.  

“We wanted the kids to be active but...we thought ‘how can we change it so that the kids enjoy it and have a fun day’.”  

Feedback would be gathered from the children and used to design the event in future, Read said.  

“We believe that the children should be leading their learning, student agency drives everything we do and getting their voice is really important to us.”  

Previously there had been many children who had not wanted to take part in cross-country events, but since implementing the new event, enthusiasm had been high, she said.  

Moving the event out of the Invercargill CBD had also been important as it gave the students the opportunity to see what else was in their “backyard”, a connection helped by the mahi being done by the Made to Move community connectors, Read said.  

“We are starting to look at our community connections. One of our year 6 leadership groups is looking at our school environment, making some changes and creating a more user-friendly space, and then we are hoping to adopt a park to replicate what we have done in our own school "backyard" to give back to the community. The Sport Southland Community School Connectors are supporting us with this venture. We are so keen to be involved in the wider community.” 

Sport Southland Tamariki Lead Shan Jensen-Loach said it was fantastic to see schools recognising the value of not only their students being active, but also the role the community plays in student wellbeing and facilitating physical activity opportunities.  

“We know that physical activity plays a huge role in a child’s overall wellbeing, but we also know that schools can’t do it alone. The wider community can play a hugely important part when it comes to providing quality physical opportunity options, and we love that we are able to help create those valuable connections.” 

Article added: Friday 28 May 2021