Winmalee PS stands tall with GIANTS

Article and photo from Blue Mountains Gazette

Winmalee Public School played host to a couple of GIANTS recently, literally

Western Sydney’s own AFL side The GWS GIANTS, was on a promotional push through the Blue Mountains last week, visiting St Finbars Primary at Glenbrook on Monday, Winmalee Public and High school on Tuesday morning and then Wycliffe Christian School in the afternoon.

They also squeezed in visits to after school Auskick programs at Blaxland East Public and Glenbrook Park in their two-day visit.

Winmalee Public School’s relieving principal Frances Campbell said 320 students from Years Two to Six met with defender Stephen Gilham and AFL clinic trainee Michael Collins in their school hall. A signed AFL ball now has pride of place in the glass trophy cabinet in the front office.

“They did look like giants amongst little munchkins,” Mrs Campbell said laughing. “They [the children] were really engaged and asked lots of questions like When did you start to play AFL and What’s your favourite colour, the usual questions kids like to ask.”

Mrs Campbell has been acting in the job this term. Principal Mark Myles is on leave following personal business dramas involving a childcare centre in Penrith. It’s alleged he failed to pay the bills last month at the Bollygum Childcare Centre that he owns, which culminated in the power being turned off leaving children cold and in the dark. Repeated attempts to contact Mr Myles have failed.

Late last month the Education Department spokesman said he had visited the centre and “he (the owner, Mark Myles) was issued with a show cause notice under the regulations”.

“If the conditions of the show cause are not met within 30 days, the approved provider may be suspended and the service closed. The department is satisfied that the children are safe and sufficiently well cared for at this time and is monitoring the situation.”

Mrs Campbell wouldn’t be drawn into the controversy saying “all I can tell you is he has taken leave which he’s entitled to do, that’s as far as I can comment”.

The Education Department spokesman further confirmed Mr Myles was “on leave to attend to personal matters that have no relation to his role as principal”.

GIANTS players visited more than 100 schools and 25 community clubs across NSW and the ACT over the two days taking part in Q and A sessions and skills clinics.

The team has endured a 12-week long losing streak after finishing wooden spooners in their first season in 2012.

Corporate Affairs general manager Nick Johnston said the schools program was all about building stronger ties in the community.

“It’s very important for us, it’s part of our engagement as a new club, getting to know local communities,” Mr Johnston said.

“We’ve had a very tough season, we’re a young side but our players are very resilient. The players really enjoy getting out into schools talking to the kids about a range of things including winning and losing,” he added.

Winmalee Public will get behind AFL in earnest next term with games planned with nearby primary schools every Friday afternoon at Summerhayes Park.