KIM Bailey, one of Piopio primary’s two swimming sports organisers, in her daffodil yellow ensemble. PHOTOS: SIGRID CHRISTIANSEN
CHEERS and splashes filled the air as Piopio Primary School hosted Aria Primary for combined swimming sports on Friday. Even the unseasonably chilly weather couldn’t keep the smiles from the kids’ faces.
Piopio staff and students dressed in red, yellow, green and blue house colours with junior team leader Kim Bailey in a daffodil yellow tutu on announcing duty. A turnout of 100 siblings, parents and grandparents filled the tiered stands to cheer on the swimmers.
In the morning, the younger pupils crossed the width of the pool, some assisted by flutter boards. They swam freestyle, a dolphin race and backstroke. In the afternoon the bigger children competed for their ribbons along the pool’s full length.
Principal Sue Coyle from Piopio Primary – in an electric blue dress and hat – felt proud of how things had turned out.
She was especially pleased to have so many parents in the crowd.
“And having Aria here as well – it’s just so exciting. It’s a community thing.
“I’m really lucky in that I’ve got a great team of staff, as well as Lee Alcock who comes in and works with our kids for swimming. Our teachers do an amazing job.
“Kim Baily and Tisharne Sicely are our organisers, the two teachers who just take this on and organise everybody, and liaise with Aria.
“They’re so dedicated to getting the kids ready, it’s just amazing. It’s a great school and we’re really lucky.”
She said she was pleased to have so many children wearing their house colours, and having their chants all ready.
“It’s not just about the competing, it’s about having a go. We’re trying to promote that real, having fun and getting the enjoyment out of it. Still celebrating the winning, but also encouraging living in our values,” Sue said.
Aria School principal Pam Voyce is something of a swimming sports veteran.
“It’s great for us to be joining in. It’s a good experience for our children.
“It’s a step up from the fun swimming we do at school, because that’s very casual whereas this is more competitive.”
Pam taught at Piopio in the 1990s before moving to Aria, but her history with swimming sports goes back to 1974 when she first taught at the school before having her family.
At that time the event was “very similar really” except the competitive races which were not strictly timed the way they are today.
Piopio College sports head of faculty, Gina Draper was at the event in her capacity as a mum. She described the day as “really well organised.”
