Young CAC students buoyed by Olympic swimmer’s visit
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Olympic breaststroker Taylor McKeown inspires Year 5 Coomera Anglican College students during an “Olympics Unleashed” visit
Australian Olympic breaststroker Taylor McKeown inspired Year 5 Coomera Anglican College students during a recent “Olympics Unleashed” visit.
The “Olympics Unleashed” program is open to Queensland schools so athletes can share about how they set goals, persevere through challenges and build resilience in their athletic and sport journeys.
In her presentation, the Olympic medalist focused on how critical setting goals was to her swimming career.
Year 5 student Sydney Garth said that Year 5 students were encouraged by Ms McKeown’s tenacity and enthusiasm during her visit last week.
“Taylor McKeown came to our college and shared her Olympic swimming journey and challenges,” Sydney said.
“She displayed determination and persistence and was an inspiration to Year 5.
“When we look back, we will all remember the day she came to talk with us and remember the passion that helped her thrive in her career.”
Ms McKeown told the Year 5 students that while she was at school she made a tile illustrated with an Olympics motif and set the tile in concrete.
She said that she permanent display helped compel her to pursue her goal to become an Olympian.
In 2010, at the age of 15, Ms McKeown won her first national titles in the 100m and 200m breaststroke.
In her Coomera Anglican College presentation, Ms McKeown also emphasised that all journeys bring challenges, including mental and physical difficulties on race days, and how resilience and determination helped her overcome these.
Olympics Unleashed is free and available to all primary schools across Queensland, including regional and remote schools.
In Queensland the program is run by the Australian Olympic Committee in partnership with the Queensland Academy of Sport and is open to Years 4-6 students.
The one-hour visit from an Olympian or Paralympian involves a 25-40 minute presentation, followed by a Q&A session.
“Olympics Unleashed Online” enables athletes to connect with schools virtually via a live event when an in-person visit is not possible.
Following the visit, resources are provided to support future classroom activities so students can be further motivated to pursue their passions, whether in sport, the classroom, the arts, in service and community activities or at home.
Queensland schools can register their interest for a visit via the Australian Olympics website.
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