School spirit and friendly competition are the name of the game at a recently formed Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) sports and activity league in eastern Elgin County.

Called the Junior Grade Level Sports Festival, it’s a chance for grades 4-6 to get active, and get excited, about attending East Elgin Secondary School.

“It’s heartwarming to see all the kids participate in each festival. When we talk about the essential conditions for learning, here’s a great example of how we’re creating them for our students,” said Isaak Dyck, Principal of Summers’ Corners Public School.

The Junior Level Sports Festival began in 2023, after Isaak Dyck, Sindy Dyck and Meg Mattingley noticed there weren’t many sports options for junior students (grades 4-6). The three TVDSB leaders wanted a league for friendly competition that focused on getting kids excited about secondary school.

“It’s a great opportunity for our students to connect with junior students in our family of schools,” said Megan.

The league is made up of seven elementary schools – all of which send their students to East Elgin Secondary School:

• Davenport Public School
• McGregor Public School
• Port Burwell Public School
• South Dorchester Public School
• Springfield Public School
• Straffordville Public School
• Summers’ Corners Public School

How the league works

During the fall and winter months, there are five designated festival days, one for each sport/activity in the league: basketball, volleyball, soccer, music and drama. Events are either held at Summers’ Corners (soccer) or East Elgin Secondary School (basketball, volleyball, music and drama). Each school sends one or more groups to each festival.

“There are no trophies, no medals, it’s all about friendly competition,” said Isaak, noting as many as 275 students attend each festival day. “It’s neat to see it all come together with the leadership of students from East Elgin.”

But the festival is about more than just having a good time: It’s also about getting kids excited about high school – particularly East Elgin Secondary School.

Up to 30 East Elgin students – enrolled in the Recreation and Event Leadership course – coordinate and referee each festival day. Those students dress in team colours, wear East Elgin merch and bring energy and enthusiasm that’s infectious for festival participants.

“The kids get really excited. It’s definitely a fun time,” said Isaak.

Megan noted it’s a real team effort and gave credit to everyone (teachers, volunteers, other school staff) who help behind the scenes. “It couldn’t happen without them.”