St Peter's Community School find balance between sport and study
The St Peter's U15 team crowned FAI Schools Munster champions.
Finding the correct balance between sport and study is something I always found important.
Having attended Presentation Secondary Cchool in Ballyphehane and finding a love of sport through a superb mentor in Sheila Daly, I always hoped many kids could experience the balance that I did.
Recently I caught up with St Peter’s Community School principal Tony McSweeney and it was refreshing to see him on the sidelines as he coached the girls' soccer team. I see how lucky the students are to have a principal who values the importance of extra-curricular activities and here he tells us about why he believes there needs to be a balance, and not just all about academic work.
“The students' participation in sports fosters numerous benefits that extend beyond athletic performance, shaping them into well-rounded individuals,” said McSweeney.
"Participation in sports teaches persistence, patience, discipline, and teamwork. These life lessons help student-athletes succeed not only in school but also in their careers and personal relationships beyond the school.”
McSweeny's positive attitude towards school life has translated into success.
“Our school in Passage West has this year enjoyed tremendous success most notably this year in the girl’s competitions, although it should be mentioned that the senior boy’s soccer team retained their FAI Munster Schools crown and only missed out on retaining their All Ireland in a penalty shootout defeat.
“For the girls, this year has seen an increase in participation and success with the Junior Girls (U17) soccer team running out as FAI Schools Munster champions, a feat which was equalled last week by the Minor Girls team (U15), who now play in an All-Ireland semi-final today against the Connacht provincial champions. The school’s First Year girls team also have an upcoming Munster final which has seen history made in schools soccer as for the first time the school has had three girls teams reach provincial finals in the same year.
This coupled with a Munster final in senior ladies GAA against Rice College, also this coming week, has meant a year of unmeasured success.
“I believe that student-athletes play a vital role in both their personal development and the broader educational community. Leadership opportunities, such as serving as team captains and coaches, cultivate accountability and empathy, essential traits for future success.”
The school has a rich history of sporting success but McSweeney says that balancing that with the academic attainment of students is key.
“The academic achievement of our students is the foundation of what we as a school stand for. To ensure our success in competitions, both sporting and non-sporting, we have in place from the start of this year a student-athlete contract. This outlines the responsibilities and accountability that comes with being a student-athlete in St Peter’s."
Ensuring that homework and classwork is completed when students are at matches is one requirement. Another is to be respectful to all team members, teachers, coaches, spectators and officials involved.
“If a student’s timekeeping, participation levels in class, exam results or homework is not to the required level in the lead up to a match then they do not travel for that match but have the time to put it right before the next game. Thankfully, these instances have been extremely rare. Student-athletes contribute significantly to school spirit and community identity.
“At our extra-curricular staff meeting at the start of the year, we put a strong emphasis on increasing the amount of female teams we have in the school. We are very aware that there is an international trend in relation to dropping out of sport for teenage girls and two of the biggest contributors to that are lack of confidence and fear of missing out on schoolwork.
"All class and homework is uploaded digitally by teachers and removing these two obstacles has led to less dropping out of school teams and sport in the school and has actually led to an increase in those taking up sport in school.
“One thing that has never been in short supply in St. Peter’s is the pride all of our students feel when they pull on the jersey to represent the school and we are always well supported by peers and families of our student athletes, wherever we travel. Long may it continue.”
