Students

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Students are encouraged to engage with as many Sport and Activities pursuits as possible. However, these must be balanced with their academic endeavours. Students can engage with external sporting opportunities that are not offered at the School but any involvement in School teams must take precedence.

Once a commitment to a sport or activity is made by a student it must be honoured throughout the activity’s season or duration. Only in exceptional circumstances may a boy change his chosen sport/activity mid-season. Parents are asked to contact the Director of Sport and Activities in such cases.

GPS PRINCIPLES AND VALUES

The Great Public Schools’ Association of Queensland Incorporated aims to provide a healthy and social opportunity for large numbers of boys to take part in a wide range of sporting and cultural activities.
Through an extensive activities program, the Association seeks to promote skill development, teamwork and leadership through coaching by teachers and others who are equipped with the necessary skills and experience to work effectively with young people. The Association encourages students of Member schools to pursue excellence in sport and other activities where they possess particular talent.
The encouragement of skill development and the pursuit of excellence should never be at the expense of fair play, good sportsmanship and friendly rivalry and the Association has developed these Codes of Behaviour to provide guidance for all people who have an involvement in GPS activities. The Association hopes that these codes will encourage teachers, coaches, parents, officials and players to contribute to the development of a healthy, enjoyable and safe environment for all GPS sport and other activities.

Players Code of Behaviour

As a player, you are requested to:

• Play by the rules and accept the officials’ decisions.
• Display good sportsmanship and fair play at all times.
• Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please your parents or coaches.
• Take pride in the improvement of your skills and your performance and remember that sport is not just about winning.
• Work equally hard for the benefit of yourself, your team and your School.
• Treat your opponents as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take advantage of another competitor.
• Co-operate with your coach, team mates, opponents and officials. Without them there would be no competition.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their ability, cultural background or religion.
• Remember that verbal abuse of officials, sledging of other players and deliberately distracting or provoking an
  opponent are not acceptable behaviours