OLYMPIC DAY

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On Tuesday Sacred Heart School had their own Olympic Games at the Velodrome. Some students from Room 9 have used persuasive writing techniques to explain why these types of events are so important.

Olympic Day

Having a school Olympic Day was a great idea because you learned ball skills, you got fit and you worked as a team.

Firstly you worked with people you wouldn’t normally work with. You got to know people a bit more. You got some exercise by running up and down the court and jumping, throwing balls around and also having fun with your teammates.

Plus we deserved to go and have a fun day because we have been working so hard. We also got to know what its like to be and have a Olympic day. 

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        Olympic Day

Hi today I’m here to tell you why having an Olympic Day is important.

 Frist of all having an Olympic Day is important because it’s a great experience for the New Entrants and little kids, so when they are older they will know what it feels like to be at the Olympic Games.

Some people think that we should be in the classroom learning. Well we are learning about the Olympics what happens at the Olympics when we are working outside the classroom. We are learning better than we would be being stuck in a classroom all day because we are learning by doing.

We also have fun and feel like we are at the Olympics and from another country, because we have their flag and we are wearing the colours on that country. You also get exercise, get fit and learn to work as a team.

That is why I think having an Olympic day is important.

By Emma    

Olympics 2012

Do you know which New Zealander has won the most Olympic medals?
NZ medalists

What rituals are part of the Olympic Games?
Opening Ceremony

Parade of the Athletes

The Athletes Parade is of the greatest part of the Opening Ceremony because it deals directly with the athletes. This is especially important as for the athletes this is their biggest moment.

The Athletes Parade is to honour the athletes and it is the most eagerly waited moment of the Opening Ceremony. It is a major achievement for the athletes and a moment of pride for them and their countries.

The Parade is where the athletes from every competing nation parade behind their national flag in front of thousands in the stadium and millions at home. For many people watching at home this will be one of the most important moments of the ceremony when they see the athletes representing their nation parade in the Olympic stadium.

The Olympic Torch and Flame.

 The Olympic torch is a symbol of the ancient Greek Olympic games. There are 73 people running with the torch. The flame is lit in Greece several weeks before the games. There is a torch security team. The torch is usually carried by the runners. The Olympic torches are made of  aluminium alloy skin. In 2000, the torch travelled under water for the first time, as a diver brought it past great Barrier reef in Australia.

By Harry.

THE OLYMPIC FLAG

Painting the Olympic Flag

What do you know about the Olympic Flag?
This is what we discovered.
The five rings represent the five continents. They are linked to show the meeting of the athletes of the world during the Olympic Games. On the Olympic flag, the rings appear on a white background. The the six colours of the rings (blue, yellow, black, green, red and white) represent all nations.
Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympic Games, explains the meaning of the flag:
“ The Olympic flag [...] has a white background, with five interlaced rings in the centre: blue, yellow, black, green and red [...]. This design is symbolic; it represents the five continents of the world, united by Olympism, while the six colours are those that appear on all the national flags of the world at the present time. ” (1931) Textes choisis, vol. II, p.470.

Olympic Oath

“In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic games, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams.”

The Olympic oath changes over the years.

The Olympic oath is a solemn promise made by one athlete, as a representative of each of the participating Olympic competitors. The judge also from the host nation says the oath, but in a different version. “In the name of all the judges and officials, I promise that we shall officiate in these Olympic games with complete impartiality, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them in the true meaning of sportsmanship.”

 

OLYMPIC VALUES.

The 7 Olympic values are inspiration, determination, excellence, equality, friendship, respect and courage.

 Inspiration means to inspire other athletes.

 Determination means to be

 determined to achieve your dream.

 Excellence means to try and be excellent at what you are trying to achieve.

 Equality means play fair and play equally with other athletes.

 Friendship means to try and make friends with other athletes.

 Respect means to not be a bad sport but to be a good sport and to congratulate other athletes.

Courage means not to be afraid of your dream and to do what you are achieving.

Who are the Olympic Team members who are Southlanders?

Eddie Dawkins

 Cycling - Track

Age at games: 23 years
Birthplace: Invercargill
Residence: Invercargill

London will be Eddie’s first Olympic Games. Eddie is the current New Zealand champion in Sprint, Keirin and Kilo Time Trial.

Jade Uru

Rowing

Age at games: 24 years
Birthplace: Invercargill
Residence: Cambridge

Jade Uru is one of the most experienced sweep oar specialists in the squad and has considerable experience in both the men's four and the men's eight. He will represent his country in the four at London 2012.

Louise Ayling

Rowing

Age at games: 24 years
Birthplace: Invercargill
Residence: Cambridge

Louise will be rowing in the lightweight double scull with Julia Edward at the London Olympic Games.

 

Natalie Wiegersma

Swimming

Age at games: 22 years
Birthplace: Hamilton
Residence: Wyndham

London will be Natalie’s first Olympic Games. At the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi she came away with a 4th place finish 200 Individual Medley.

Nathan Cohen

Rowing

Age at games: 26 years
Birthplace: Christchurch
Residence: Cambridge

Nathan Cohen, along with double sculls partner Joseph Sullivan, have won back to back titles in 2010 and 2011 marking them as one of the favourites for medals in the men's double sculls at the London Olympics.

 

Storm Uru

Rowing

Age at games: 27 years
Birthplace: Invercargill
Residence: Cambridge

Storm is teamed with Peter Taylor in the men’s lightweight double scull and tackling their second Olympic regatta in the class. In 2012, they go into the Olympic Games with world championship gold, bronze and silver medals to their credit over the past three years.