8. School Manual: Sport

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School manages sport in accordance with the applicable NSW Department of Education sport policies. Local procedures listed below also apply.

8.0 Sport Policy

The Farrer Sports Program is aimed at providing an opportunity for all students to develop and enrich their lives through participation in sport and physical activity. Sport is a fundamental aspect of Farrer's education program. The school's goal is to create an environment where all students are motivated to take part actively. If they're interested, students can also advance through different levels of representative pathways.

The sports program at Farrer has the following objectives:

Enhancing the overall health and fitness of all students.
Providing opportunities for students to develop new skills relevant to their ability, age and interests.
Establishing a mechanism for students to improve their interpersonal relationships and learn the value of participation, commitment, teamwork and competition.
Implementing a tiered structure that accommodates the involvement of every student.
Ensuring adequate provision for the physical, medical and coaching needs of the students involved in the sporting program.
Fostering a culture that encourages participation and enjoyment over success.

In addition to the chance to participate in sporting carnivals and school representative teams, students at Farrer will be actively involved in weekly school sport activities.

8.1 School Sport

8.1.1 Year 7

Sport is integrated into the students regular timetable and delivered by PE teachers. These classes introduce students to team sports and enjoyable recreational activities.

8.1.2 Year 8-11

Students in Year 8-11 participate in organised school sport on a Friday afternoon between 1.30pm and 3.15pm. The emphasis is on participating in new or different activities. Students are required to select a sport, in which they will participate in for an entire Term. Selection of sports happens at the end of the upcoming Term.

8.1.3 Year 12

Friday Sport is optional for Year 12 students. Some First teams will use this time to train. Students may also use the Library during this time to study.

8.1.4 Non Sport

Students who are unable to take part in sports due to illness or injury are required to attend Non Sport in the library.. This group will be under supervision of the Librarian during the Friday afternoon sports period. Boarders must report to Matron to get a green slip. Day students bring a signed note from their parents and attend the library during sport. The Librarian will create an Internal VOR of students absent from sport due to injury/illness. The Librarian will monitor sick students in the library and report to the Sports Coordinators if concerned about any student avoiding sport.

8.2 Weekend Competitions

Farrer enters a number of sporting teams into local weekend competitions, in both summer and winter sports. Where Farrer offers a team, students are encouraged to participate with that team. All students are encouraged to participate in at least one Farrer sport team each year. Please see Sports Offered At Farrer for more information.

8.3 Representative Sports

Farrer will provide the opportunity for as many students to participate in competitions throughout the year. Where possible the school will support these competitions with teams.

8.3.1 CHS Competitions

The NSWCHS Sports Association offers a range of competitions annually. When nominating teams, the school will take into account several considerations before committing to participation. These factors include student interest, the availability of staff members who are willing to coach and supervise teams, the safety of students engaged in the sport, and the overarching priorities of the school.

These competitions offer students valuable experiences and opportunities and we will always encourage participation. All teams entering CHS competitions must be prepared to engage in a training program before and during the competition to ensure proper preparation. Students in these teams are required to wear the correct Farrer sports uniform.

8.3.2 School Representative Sporting Team Selection

There are a number of school representative sporting teams that students may trial for each year. We encourage as many students as possible to do so with the aim of providing the opportunity for students to participate as well as providing the depth of talent that will allow teams to compete further into competitions.

Involvement in Farrer Representative teams requires a high level of commitment by both staff and students. To be selected in a team students must attend a team trial, unless on another school related excursion. They should be competent and have the knowledge of the rules of the sport, while displaying the values of the school and sport itself. Students must also be on a satisfactory colour level.

If a talented player is unavailable to trial for any team, every best effort will be made to provide them with another opportunity to trial. Should this not be possible, consideration may be given to them based upon previous past performance at school, zone, regional or state level. This is at the discretion of the selectors/coaches.

Students are required to attend all training and match sessions, to wear the correct uniform, to display a high level of sportsmanship and try to the best of their ability.

8.3.3 Exclusion of Students from a Sporting Team

The school has a strong sense of pride in the manner in which Farrer teams compete in NSWCHS knockout and other competitions. When representing Farrer in any sports team you commit to upholding the following values set out in the code of conduct, through all of your actions and behaviours.

Breaches of the Farrer Sport Code of Conduct may result in short term suspension from the team and possibly further disciplinary action. More serious breaches may result in the student being excluded from the team entirely. Due to the nature of school sport, all breaches will be dealt with in accordance with the schools Disciplinary Policy. Students must be on Green Level or above to represent Farrer.

8.3.4 Zone, Regional and CHS Representative Sporting Team Selection

Students will be notified via the daily notices in roll call about trials for various Zone Teams. Eligibility to trial will depend on:

Availability of, and commitment to, the appropriate Farrer program.
The standing of the student in the school community particularly in respect of behaviour, class and assignment work.
Assessment by coaching staff that the student has achieved an adequate level of fitness and skill in the appropriate sport.
An agreement by the student to meet all commitments of the team if selected.

It is the responsibility of individual students to collect the relevant information and permission notes from the sport organiser. Where a large number of students are attending trials the school may provide transport to these trials.

8.4 Inter-House Sports Carnivals

Annual Inter-House carnivals are held in Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics. Students compete for house points and age championship points.

For each carnival a winning House will be determined by a combination of points awarded for participation in an event and also points awarded for student results. Age Champions will also be awarded to students who earn the most points from results in events. The champion House and student will be awarded perpetual trophies at the end of year at Speech Day.

Students will be selected from these carnival results to represent Farrer at the Regional Carnival. Students must achieve a qualifying time/distance to attend the Regional Carnival.

Attendance at the carnivals is compulsory. Students are to wear their House shirt or school uniform.

8.4.1 Sport House Structure

Students are allocated a Sport House when they enrol at Farrer. The allocation of students to a Sport House is random. Students with siblings at the school will be allocated to the same Sport House. Staff members are also allocated a Sport House. All staff are encouraged to embrace their House and wear House colours to all carnivals. The Sport Houses are:

Macarthur
Oxley
Parkes
Peel

8.4.2 Sport House Captain

Each House will have a Sport Captain. The House Sport Captain is elected by the Year 12 cohort at their Leadership camp each year.

8.5 Code of Conduct

This Code set out the standard and expectation of behaviour for everyone involved in a Farrer endorsed event including players, teacher, coach, officials, parents, spectators and administrators.

This Code supports Farrer’s desire to encourage and promote excellent sportsmanship and appropriate standards of behaviour, including fair play on and off the field.

This Code is not intended to restrict or hinder persons having fun and participating competitively in school sport or activities.

This Code may apply in addition to any other code or other disciplinary requirements of the Person’s school or sport governing body.

8.5.1 Players

Treat everyone equally, fairly and with dignity regardless of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, cultural or religious background, age or disability. Any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination has no place at Farrer.
Be a good sport, displaying modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat.
Do not tolerate acts of aggression.
Play by the rules and accept the officials’ decisions.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of fellow players, coaches, officials and spectators.
Do not abuse, threaten or intimidate, use crude language or gestures, or show apparent unnecessary dissension, displeasure or disapproval towards an official, coach, manager or other people whether before, during or after Sport or Activities.
Your safety and the safety of your teammates and opponents come first.
Participate for your enjoyment and benefit, not just to please your parents or coaches.
Cooperate with your coach, teammates, opponents and officials.
Work equally hard for the benefit of yourself, your team and your school.
Take pride in the improvement of your skills and your performance and remember that sport is not just about winning.

8.5.2 Teachers / Coaches

Treat everyone equally, fairly and with dignity regardless of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, cultural or religious background, age or disability. Any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination has no place at Farrer.
Encourage participants to display good sportsmanship and to participate within the spirit of the game, always respecting the importance of fair play.
Treat each participant as an individual by respecting the talent, development stage and goals of each individual; help each participant reach their full potential.
Be a positive role model for your participants. Refrain from inappropriate behaviour towards officials, parents, spectators and other member schools; and teach this to your participants.
Ensure equipment and facilities meet safety standards. Equipment, rules, training and the environment need to be appropriate for the age of the participant.
Teach players the rules of the game and ensure they observe them.
Remember that competitive games are primarily for enjoyment and that winning is only part of the process.
Ensure that you do not expect players to devote an unreasonable amount of time to training which would prevent them from leading a balanced life.
Adhere to policy and mandatory reporting requirements.

8.5.3 Parents / Guardians / Spectators

Treat everyone equally, fairly and with dignity regardless of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, cultural or religious background, age or disability. Any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination has no place at Farrer.
At all times conform to the accepted standards of good sportsmanship and behaviour.
Shall at all times respect officials, coaches and players.
Lead by example and display appropriate social behaviour by not using profane, demeaning or derogatory language, or harassing players, coaches, officials, or other spectators - physical or verbal abuse will not be tolerated.
Respect the official’s decision. Do not abuse, threaten or intimidate an official and do not show dissension, displeasure or disapproval towards an official’s decision in an abusive or unreasonable fashion.
Instill the ability to accept losses and setbacks without undue disappointment.
Show respect for opponents, never ridicule mistakes or losses – supporters are there to support not downgrade.
Remember that you are there for the participants to enjoy the game.

Last updated Oct 2023.

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