Heptathlon helps students to achieve personal best
Friday, May 18, 2007 -- Jennifer Higgs
Rhema Christian School's annual track and field day was fun for students, staff members and parents as participants from Grades 2 to 8 performed in seven events with the aim to achieve their personal best.

"We have re-formatted our traditional track and field meet to be done in a way that children compete against their own scores from year to year, rather than each other," says principal Ray Hendriks.

The heptathlon includes standing long jump, running long jump, high jump, ball throw and three track distances. All students participate in each, and receive points based on their time and distance. These points are kept on record so each year students can set their own goals.

Students who accumulate the most points may recieve a placement ribbon and all students receive a participant ribbon.

"Kids rise to these occasions, the spirit is excellent, and they cheer each other on," says Hendriks. "There were a number of occasions where there was the runner who was finishing up a race and was very slow and the rest of the kids that were around would call their name and cheer them on – lots of participation that way."

Parents were encouraged to drop by during the event, which was held at Peterborough's Holy Cross Secondary School.

"We had a number of volunteers come in, particularly on the track, which was very helpful. But there were also a tremendous number of parents cheering," says Hendriks.

"I'm always surprised on these days how parents are willing to take an afternoon off work . . . to come in and see their kids."

Rhema students have been preparing for the track and field events in their physical education classes for the past month.

On May 25, around 50 Rhema students in Grades 5 to 8 will return to Holy Cross for the regional track and field. This event is a more traditional style of track and field, where participants will specialize in their events and compete against one another.

Rhema will host the regional track and field and compete against around ten other Christian elementary schools from areas including Stouffville and Cobourg.