MUCH to the joy and relief of students, Countryweek is set to go ahead for Esperance Senior High School (ESHS) after concerns that the annual event may be cancelled for the first time in 81 years due to union action.
While the State School Teachers Union WA (SSTUWA) and the Department of Education and Training have not yet reached an agreement regarding pay and work conditions, it was confirmed on May 23 that, based on the number of other schools that indicated they would indeed attend, ESHS would compete in the week-long sporting extravaganza.
Countryweek coordinator Craig Snow said that given the current climate, attending Countryweek was a good outcome for the students.
“It really is important because, with Esperance being so isolated, we don’t have that level of contact and competition with other schools,” he said.
“The kids are very excited and are looking forward to going.
“For the year 12s it is a highlight of the year so they are particularly excited that as a school we have chosen to go ahead.”
Despite a union ban on voluntary, out of school activities, Mr Snow said that ESHS will be fully staffed for Countryweek, with 125 Esperance students competing across eight sports.
Although many schools that normally participate in the week have decided to send teams, at least 10 schools have pulled out of Countryweek 2008.
“This year there will be 27 schools attending, while normally there is about 39 or 40 schools.
“The majority of schools from the South West are not going.
“I’m sure that the schools that are going will provide a strong level of competition but it’s normally the bigger schools that give us a run for our money and they’re not going.”
Trent Dunn, a year 10 student who will be attending Countryweek for the first time, said that despite the drop in the number of schools sending teams, he was looking forward to the experience.
“I’m definitely looking forward to it but it is a bit disappointing that there are not as many schools this year,” he said.
With teams selected for netball, football, dance, speech and boy’s and girl’s volleyball, basketball, hockey and soccer, Mr Snow said that the Esperance contingent was looking strong.
“Historically we usually do well across all the sports and in the past we’ve been particularly strong in volleyball and hockey.
“Last year we did well in football so the team is looking forward to a strong showing again this year.
“Overall, the students are looking forward to the experience – it’s a great opportunity for country kids to mix with other schools and enjoy representing their school and town.”