Students wrote to Olympians

Pretty Beach Public School took part in a letter-writing program which encouraged students to write to their favourite Australian Olympic athlete during the Olympic Games.

Students from Years 3 to 6 at Pretty Beach Public School joined more than 1300 schools nationally to participate in the Letter Link program.

"The students wrote to their athlete," said Pretty Beach Public School teacher Ms Sarah Ghantous.

"The students had just finished competing in their own athletics carnival and wrote about their personal experiences.

"It was good for the students as they are using pen and paper to write rather than email and spell check and they have included wonderful drawings and poems in their letters."

Ms Ghantous said she decided to enter the school after hearing about the program while researching the Olympic Games on the internet.

"I entered my Year 4 and 5 students in the program because they are serious sport fanatics," Ms Ghantous said.

"The Year 4 and 5 students were extremely excited when I told them we were writing to their role models.

"We read through a few newspapers we have been collecting and keeping our own medal tally record up to date daily.

"Reading the newspaper during silent reading time in class has become a common occurrence in our class.

"They had so many inspiring athletes to choose from.

"One student Celia decided to take a different road and choose an athlete that wasn't well known in the media, she researched the internet for an Australian athlete that had common interests with her and wrote to her."

Ms Ghantous said: "Pretty Beach Public School had its very own Olympics last Thursday where the students competed in 10 events.

"These events included weightlifting, shot put, relays, shooting, volleyball and ping pong.

"It started with an opening ceremony and the students were in teams that represented a particular country and had an Olympic torch relay as well.

"Years 3 to 6 are also involved in the Premiers Sporting Challenge, where the students record the amount of physical activity they complete each day.

"The students are on track in reaching their targets of winning gold."

Press release, 21 Aug 2008 Sarah Ghantous, Pretty Beach Public School