Staff v Students
Building relationships between staff and students is vital when it comes to positive outcomes in the classroom and two-way learning. There are many ways teachers and staff get involved in our Clontarf program, but none are bigger than our annual Staff v Students Footy Game. Every Friday morning, rain, hail or shine we have a game of Friday Footy before school. It’s the best morning of the week and provides a welcoming opportunity for everyone to get involved with our Academy.
These weekly games lead into our biggest morning training of the year, the annual Staff v Students Footy Game. Held in Term 2, Team Staff took on Team Students for the third year running. The game showcased the strength of our program and the supportive relationship it has at the school with overwhelming support from close to 50 staff and over 30 Academy Members taking part in the game. Clontarf Partners and spectators were also in attendance and were treated to a spectacular and spirited game of Aussie Rules Football.
Leading Team Staff for the third consecutive year was Mr Tim Cowen who has been a pillar of support for our program over many years, while Max Rogers led Team Students for the first time. Principal Andrew McGregor and our ever-reliable Friday Footy umpire and woodwork teacher Sir Robert Barker donned the golden whistles and kept the game flowing in the Clontarf Spirit.
Team Staff kicked the first goal of the game through Mr Craig Greenwood which was followed by another goal to Team Staff who were on fire in the opening third. After peppering the goals, Team Students registered their first major goal through Sonny Smiler who took a spectacular mark on the goal line and would go on to play an excellent game. Going into the first break, Team Staff held a narrow lead.
The second third was another tight contest as Team Staff kept their composure and played to their strengths of structured footy and team first mentality, sharing the ball around. Mitchell Taylor presented well up forward and dominated play when the ball was in his area being the most dangerous forward and booting a number of goals, which included a spectacular snap from the boundary line in the deep forward pocket. Mitchell would finish the game as the leading goal kicker on the ground. Max Rogers (Year 12) and Sonny Smiler (Year 10) were strong players for Team Students and were bolstered by players like Mazlan Patrick (Year 10), Jaren Sambo (Year 10) and Ricco Chubb (Year 9). Ricco ultimately earning the Best on Ground award for Team Students.
The final third was high pressure with both teams locked in an arm wrestle. Team Staff were tiring but Anthony Barker provided strong defence across the half back line clearing the ball on several occasions. Kayden Malseed was exceptional with his work around the ground which got him the Best on Ground award for Team Staff, but as always, it was the great wall of Kalkarindgi – Ricco Chubb, who was the difference. Taking a mark, being awarded a 50 meter penalty and slotting a goal in the final minutes of the game gave Team Students a 3-point lead. Team Staff’s VIP player Mr Toby Searl had the opportunity of a fairy tale ending when he marked in the dying seconds of the game but opted to pass the ball off. Team Students were all over this and cleared the ball to claim victory in a nail biter. Final score Team Students 29 defeating Team Staff 26.
On behalf of the HRS Clontarf Academy, we sincerely thank all our Academy Members and HRS staff for the most magical mornings of the year. You have all given our program so much and are the reason why our Friday Footy sessions and Staff v Students Games are the best reasons to wake up early!
Duane Von Senden
Academy Director
