St. Augustine's Catholic Primary School

At St. Augustine's Catholic Primary School we believe sport and excercise are essential elements of healthy childhood development which lay the foundations for a a healthy adult life. We take part in mainstream sporting competitions such as football, rubgy, tennis and cricket, but we also promote minority sports in the belief that sport should be for everyone.

We are part of the Shepway Sports Trust which promotes all manner of sports through inter-school competitions, workshops and events. Through the trust, we take part in a rolling programme of events which have recently included pop lacrosse, gymnastics, dance, athletics, fencing, cycling, water polo, wheelchair basketball, balanceability, hand-ball, and reception class fun days. The skateboarding workshops were a big hit with children in all year groups. The scheme also provides inspirational assemblies from leading sports personalities. Recent visits have included Ashes winning cricketer Geriant Jones and European champion trial cyclist James Sheridan.

During our year 6 residential trip in Snowdonia the children have an opportunity to take part in kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, gorge walking and mountain climbing.

Being a coastal school, and with the famous Royal Military Canal running through town, we think swimming is an essential life skill. All children in years R, 3 and 6 have weekly swimming lessons during the summer terms. Three of our staff are trained swimming instructors and help us in our aim to ensure that all children can confidently swim 25 metres by the the time they go on to secondary school.

We believe that sport not only benefits physical well being but also teaches childen how to work cooperatively and how to cope with success and failure. We aim to promote, through direct experience, the benefits of exercise as one part of a healthy lifestyle.