Oxford Montessori Schools

Sports Update. Football...

In November 2006 the decision was taken to ask landscapers to prepare part of the grounds at Forest Farm for Football and Netball. This decision was taken based on the children's growing passion for the game. As with the introduction of most new things, new issues quickly sprung up. Mostly the children have been good as resolving their own issues around fairness etc. The school is very keen to support this, to allow the children to keep ownership of something they obviously enjoy. Since fairness is an important issue in sport Judy suggested that the children should be given the opportunity to referee their own games, as teachers are responsilble for supervising the whole group, not just those playing football.



Playing Football in the Hail. March 2007

• Monday 12th March 2007
• Decision taken to allow the children to referee their down lunchtime games.
• Arun is first to officially take the role.
• DA's impression. Had a good understanding of the rules and children accepted his decisions.
• Friday 23rd Mach 2007
  
• DA was later informed by a parent that her child did not agree with the decisions taken in some previous games
• Prior to today's game DA asked all the children if they wanted to continue with the self refereeing. Everybody seemed to support this.
  
• DA oversaw game today. Alex was referee. Alex needs some more time to learn the rules instinctively but made generally good decisions.
• The children did not criticise him when he was unsure, they were supportive on both sides.
• A good game, evenly matched. 2 changes were made to teams to keep them balanced.
• The general idea is to keep the number of strong players evenly matched on both sides.
• No names are mentioned when this is done.
• The children always volunteer to swap when balancing is needed
• At the end of the game DA gathered all the children. A show of hands was asked for to express any concerns regarding possible wrong decisions made by the referee. Arun brought up a hard tackle he had experienced from Max. We spoke about the danger of slide tackles. Player must be going for the ball etc. The children love to perform these and they are mostly done with amazing accuracy.
• Aspects of rules were discussed. The corner kick / throw in's. The goalkeepers role within the box etc.
  
• Each child was asked individually if he / she felt the decisions and result of the game were fair. There was no disagreement.
• DA did not play today. The 2nd goal / rugby post was constructed during play.
• Corner posts will go up next week.
  

Sports Update...

13/3/2007. Some of the elementary children playing basket ball relays...

• Our ground care company have been patiently waiting for the main lawn area at Forest Farm to dry. Now it is (fingers crossed) they will roll and prepare the ground.
  
• Football / rugby Posts are waiting in the stores to be placed
• Netball / basket ball nets too.
• We hope (weather depending) the new area will be ready for play in the next 2 weeks.
  

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