DCS at DCCC
Students from the
Dubbo Christian School were introduced to the noble and ancient sport of
croquet during Term 3 (July to September).
Amy, a PDHPE teacher at Dubbo Christian School, approached
the club asking if we would be able to provide tuition and playing for 20
students in Years 7 to 10. We readily
agreed.
When students were asked to register their choice for sport
in Term 3, that number more than doubled.
The bowling club was able to provide a roster of members for the same
period so that students, now divided into three groups, were scheduled for
three weeks of each sport in rotation.
Because of internal commitments for the different Year groups, the three
weeks for each group were not consecutive.
Despite this lack of continuity students were able to
receive instruction on playing technique and rules on as ‘as needed’ basis
during modified playing situations. Had
more time been available our preference would have been for a more structured
programme of instruction and practice.
Nonetheless, each Year group was able to play a standard golf croquet
game by their third session, if not earlier.
Club members were enthusiastic about this project, and those
who participated enjoyed the experience.
Particularly heartening was the evident enjoyment the students showed.
One piece of play must be recorded. The balls, as shown in the photograph, were laid out with red and yellow both on-hoop and quite close. Black is not wired on yellow but this would
be difficult shot for a beginner. Blue
cannot hoop and the player is not confident to attempt a jump, much as he would
like to try having been very impressed by a demonstration the previous
week. He was, however, confident to
attempt a stop shot on red. There was
much stalking, advice from his neighbour, sledging from his opponents, and then
– with a resounding thwack! – blue
rammed into the red ball which spun dramatically out to the boundary, leapt
over yellow and without hesitation or deviation passed through the hoop to
score.
Thank you, Cambell H., for an amazingly freakish shot! It has been the talk of the club ever since.
Dubbo Christian School hold a day of community service annually
in which every student donates an afternoon to some form of activity. We welcomed about twenty students (not all of
whom had chosen croquet/bowls as their sport for the term). A small team did sterling work in completing
the preparation of the garden bed, while others worked on window cleaning,
silver polishing and garden maintenance.
A big ‘thank-you’ to those students for their work.