On 18th October, the USI community came together to honour the life of Ander Gelebek, a much-loved USI student who sadly passed away in September.
A football tournament was the perfect way to remember Ander, who loved the game. The day was a wonderful celebration of a boy who brought joy to everyone who knew him.
The tournament featured boys and girls from Years 4 to 7 - with the students from Years 4 and 5 playing each other on one pitch, and Year 6 and playing on the other pitch. Despite heat, the students entered the matches with huge amounts of energy and enthusiasm. After a series of fiercely contested group stage matches, we reached the finals. In the Year 4 & 5 final, the Black team emerged victorious with a 1-0 win over the Purple team, whilst in the Year 6 & 7 final, the Black and Orange teams could not be separated after a goaless draw, and so it went to a nail-biting penalty shootout. The Black team edged it and were the winners.
After the student competitions were over, the day was completed with an eagerly-anticipated match between parents and teachers. Once again, the teams could not be separated after a last-minute equalizer from the teachers meant that the match finished 1-1, and so again we went to penalties, with the parents emerging victorious.
Massive thanks go to all of the USI staff and parents who worked so hard to organise this amazing event, and to all of the students and their families who attended to make the day so special. And of course, above all, thank you to Ander’s parents and brother for suggesting the football tournament as the perfect way for us to remember Ander and to celebrate his life.
For lots more photos from the day, visit the image gallery.
