Dear Parents

Everyone who knows me will tell you that I am a strong advocate for kids playing sport. However, most believe that my rationale for the promotion of sport is rooted in my background as an avid sportsman. While I do share many fond memories of times spent on and off the field and later as a coach, my belief that all students should play both a summer and winter sport is rooted in research (see the image above "Facts: Sports Activity and Children" as an example). This research highlights the benefits to children both in the classroom and in all aspects of what makes us human. While I encourage children and teens to play in a school team to support their socialisation and integration into the KingsWay community, I am not someone who has a hierarchy of preferred sports or negates the value of activity done outside of the school context. Unfortunately, the school cannot afford to offer every sporting code as this would spread our resources too thinly, nevertheless, the school remains supportive of links with sporting bodies in the wider community that get children off the couch and moving.

Many students and parents have expressed concern at the lack of sporting facilities, especially at the Senior Campus. The good news is that I am currently negotiating a partnership with Auckland Council to allow KingsWay access to the Millwater fields and hockey astro turf which will afford greater access to fit for purpose facilities. The school continues to welcome ideas on how to improve or enhance our sport programme, especially as we move towards adopting the KingsWay 2030 Growth and Development Plan.

As this KingsWay Connect focusses on sport, I would like to use this time to thank our amazing Sports Department and the 100s of parent volunteers who share my vision and passion for sport. At a time when we see falling student participation rates in sport, let us continue to encourage and support our children to give sport a go, even if they are not going to be the next Michael Jordan.

Regards

Graeme Budler
(Executive Principal)