Page 12 - Principal's Newsletter Term 2 2018

full of excitement and the boys have worked skills with teams around the region. Next
hard to develop skills such as serving, smash
and drop shots in hope of outlasting
opponents. The boys have really enjoyed the
season and look forward to it continuing
next year. Look out for the final results in
Week 10!
The Thunder has been a great name for a
team that abounds with enthusiasm and
energy! Comprising senior boys who
frequently belong to top teams in other
codes, the Thunder lads are playing
Basketball for the sheer joy and exercise
inherent in every game. Led by Oliver
Donaldson and well supported by a core
group of about eight regulars, they have
offered real challenge to the other teams in
the competition and their support of each
other knows few bounds. Whilst victory has
proved elusive the team is certainly enjoying
itself and hope of a win springs eternal! The
Rathkeale A basketball team has experienced
a season of mixed results. They have come
up against extremely talented opposition
and gave an honourable account of
themselves throughout, never giving up and
fighting till the very end of each game. Not
only have the players learnt a lot about
basketball and the skills required, but also
about playing in a team environment with
students they may not have interacted with
previously. The team consists of boys from
all age groups and hopefully the senior
players’ knowledge of the game has rubbed
off on the juniors and stand them in good
stead for seasons to come.
Coaching Hub Wairarapa held a student
coaching day at the YMCA in Masterton. 11
boys attended the course with Rugby,
Football, Hockey and Basketball on offer to
the boys. They began by leaning the
etiquette of coaching, before splitting up to
their respective codes. It’s great to see boys
Jack Pallister and Liam Quirke using these
year we hope to double our numbers,
promoting coaching as the universal
language of change, and learning.
Rathkeale College hosted the Intercollegiate
Cross Country. Traditionally held at Solway,
the new venue down at The Oval was
appreciated by both the spectators and the
athletes themselves. Out of the 40
Rathkeale runners, several boys did very well
rd
including 3 place to Ben Wadsworth in the
U14s race. Tom Parker managed 3 in the
rd
nd
U15s, with Sam Loder in 2 and Kosta Mills
st
in 1 . The U16s was a tough battle with
rd
Oliver Hammond taking 3 and Noah Boyce
st
convincingly running in 1 . Max Spencer
finished the day winning the Senior Boys’
race in a hard-fought battle. The top runners
from this event went to the Wellington
Regional X Country in Upper Hutt, followed
by the National Championships in Taupo.
And finally, Rifle Shooting has made a great
start this term. Tuesday evenings the boys
are transported to the Rifle shooting club
based in Masterton. They receive help and
guidance from the staff there and have all
improved immensely since the start of the
term. Their hard work will continue in Term 3
as competition time gets closer. There has
already been a small in-house competition
which the head of rifle shooting organised
with the St. Matthew’s girls and the
Rathkeale boys, they received certificates
with their personal best scores. The boys are
enjoying the sport and are looking forward
to continuing in Term 3.
We continue our winter codes in Term 3.
Matches start to become more important,
fitness will be crucial, and support from our
sidelines will be essential. I look forward to
seeing you out there!
Scott Day - Sports Coordinator