Sportsmanship praised

A group of students from Waikiki Primary School have been commended for excellent displays of sportsmanship at an inter-school carnival this month.

At an assembly last week, five students were presented with medals with what deputy principal Gorden Cooper described as “outstanding sportsmanship.”

Student Logan Stevens stepped up to compete in a 400m race to ensure the school was represented.

As he ran around a corner, he injured his knee. Slowing down, he did not think he would be able to finish until students Blaine Gilchrist and Beth Norton ran on to the field and helped him across the finish line as a team. “I didn’t know I was going to be running in that race,” Logan said.

“When I hurt my knee, I didn’t think I would be able to finish but I wanted to finish.

“I was very happy when Blaine and Beth helped and when we finished the race.”

Blaine said when he saw his friend in trouble, he knew he had to help. Beth said she did not want Logan to give up and she knew that with some help, he could make it.

“He’s my friend and friends help each other out,” she said.

Student Allan Hayden was also awarded a medal for shaking the hand of every participant when competing in an event, no matter where he placed.

Isaiah Laidlaw, meanwhile, was awarded for participating in every event to ensure Waikiki Primary School was represented.

“What these students did came from their heart,” Mr Cooper said. “They were motivated by the interests of others and it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate that kind of behaviour.”