ST Edmund’s College, Ipswich has initiated a program which will allow its students to spend more time with their fathers around Father’s Day each year while benefiting their school houses.
The St Edmund’s Dads and Lads Night on August 31 involved accruing points for acts of strength, skill and silliness.
Principal Jim Lucey said the school had asked students to bring along a dad, uncle, grandfather, big brother or old boy to help win house points together.
He said the evening organised by the college’s Boys in Education Committee attracted about 190 dads and lads.
The evening started with a sausage sizzle and then each father and son pair was given a score sheet and map.
‘All activities were optional and could be completed in any order, but the more activities attempted the more points for the house,’ Mr Lucey said.
He said activities were many and varied with three-legged swimming races, cordial drinking competitions, thong throwing and karaoke as well as volleyball, basketball, chess and memory tests.
The school organised buddies for boys whose fathers were not available on the evening.
St Edmund’s teacher, Maria Heenan, said Morgan house took out the evening’s competition with 1090 points followed by Rice, Callan and Treacy.
She said popular events included karaoke, although the principal’s scoring was considered very tough.
One of the less popular activities was the mustard sandwich eating competition, with more dads than lads having a go.
Ms Heenan said all those who scored more than 20 points were rewarded with a Freddo chocolate frog.
She said next year’s event would also be planned around Father’s Day.
