EDUCATION: Olympian and Sochi hopeful, Katya Crema, participated in Chat to a Champ Tuesday, the AOC’s online video conference program linking Olympians with primary school students.
EDUCATION: Olympian and Sochi hopeful, Katya Crema, participated in Chat to a Champ Tuesday, the AOC’s online video conference program linking Olympians with primary school students.
Crema spoke with Year 5 students from her former primary school, Middle Park Primary in Melbourne and students from the special needs school, Acacia Hill in Alice Springs.
The students from Middle Park were eager to hear about how Crema manages her busy life as well as how she copes with living overseas for a long period of time.
“Time management is really important,” the Melbournian said.
“I spend a lot of time overseas so it is hard to stay close to family and friends,” she said. “We chat a lot online to stay in touch. I can go for months without seeing my family and friends so I definitely make the most of seeing them when I am at home.”
The students from Acacia Hill were curious to learn about her favourite sports and favourite music. There was some amusement among the students when Crema also said she liked Jessica Mauboy and Beyonce.
“I do like swimming, as a cross training sport,” she told them. “I love swimming in the ocean and in the waves. It is refreshing and I like being outside.”
Some of the students from Acacia Hill were using special forms of technology to ask their questions.
“Three of our students can ask their questions verbally and two use Augmentative or Alternative Communication (AAC) devices,” teacher Laura Tabbenhauer said. “These two students use apps on their Ipads to communicate.”
Acacia Hill prepared for the Chat by discussing what the Olympics are and the sports on the program a the Winter Games.
“We focused on the idea of friendship between countries and athletes as this has been a main theme in our class this year,” Tabbenhauer said.
Crema’s alumni were eager to learn about her sentiments for Middle Park.
“I loved Middle Park primary,” she said. “I used to walk to school or ride my bike. My brother and sister went there. It was where I found my love for sport. I loved the athletics day and loved to win everything. I had a great group of friends that were also into sport.”
The next Chat to a Champ session takes place at 10am Wednesday 14 August when Scott Kneller talks with students from St Dominic’s Primary, Jindabyne Central and Horsham West and Haven.
