World Cup kit takes learning to the field

Through the SBS Harmony Game Schools Pack, school children will be mixing football fever with learning when the World Cup kicks off next week.

Through the SBS Harmony Game Schools Pack, school children will be mixing World Cup fever with learning. (SBS)

Through the SBS Harmony Game Schools Pack, school children will be mixing World Cup fever with learning. (SBS)

Brazil might be a long way from western Sydney, but that won't stop students from Briar Road Primary School getting involved.

They'll be mixing football fever with learning when the games kick off next week.

The SBS Harmony Game Schools Pack is designed to help school children across the country follow the fun on the field as well as learn more about their own global connections.

Former Socceroo and SBS Presenter Craig Foster visited the school to help launch the program.

"Football is the perfect vehicle to teach our kids not only life skills but the diversity of Australian life, he said.

“There's no better game.

“But the real question is, how can we use that World Cup for the next generation of Australians, for our kids to learn some important lessons?"

The federal government is supporting the resource kit, which is being made available to schools across the country.

At Briar Road Public School, Federal Member for Macarthur, Russell Matheson, welcomed the chance to see it in action.

"They can learn more about themselves, their cultural heritage, their cultural identities,” he said.

“It's about the kids working together and involving themselves in sport and finding out that life's about being involved in the team game."

Briar Road Primary School has a diverse student body, including many Indigenous students.

Year six teacher Alex Thompson said his pupils have responded well to the introduction of regular lunchtime sports games.

He believes respect for cultural diversity can be taught in the classroom -- but may be better learned on the football field.

"Respect is one of those things that in sport, it is easier taught, I think, because they actually see it and they're taught it straight away."

The school's Vice Captain, Taylor, agreed.

"I make new friends on the field, people that I usually don't talk to and interact with," she said.  


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2 min read

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By Rhiannon Elston


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