As another calendar year draws to a close, schools across the country are entering the final few weeks of Term 4. Tests are being conducted, Christmas craft is in abundance and awards distributed to well deserving recipients. 

One award, now well recognised among the nation’s primary schools is the Australian Olympic Committee’s Boxing Kangaroo “BK” Medallion. 

The Boxing Kangaroo is the battleflag of Australian sport and represents the nation’s fighting spirit.  This famous Aussie icon, known affectionately as "BK", has become synonymous with Australia's proud sporting heritage and as such has become arguably Australia's favourite supporter mascot.

BK is also a great symbol for the younger generation as he represents the positive values and virtues of sport: positive attitude, sportsmanship, pride, individual responsibility, respect and expression. These same qualities are what drive Australia's pursuit of success on the international sporting stage.It is these same positive values which determine the recipients of the BK Medallion.  

Primary teachers are invited to nominate to the AOC a student who has demonstrated these values not only on the sporting field but also in the classroom and playground. 

One such student is eight-year-old Bianca Warcon from Cawarral in Queensland.

“Bianca displays a positive attitude to school and learning,” her teacher teacher Lynne Shanks said. 

“She consistently demonstrates patience, thoughtfulness, a sense of fair play and respect for self, others and the environment.”

In a small Victorian country town, primary teacher Jo Healy decided to present the BK medal to the entire school as they recently won the regional athletics carnival.

"Being such a small school we didn’t have the numbers for the relay events and had to have 5-year-olds running in the 8-9 relay races and 8-year-olds running in the 12-13 relays," Healy said.

"The kids never complained and tried their best at all times and did us proud winning and placing in many of the events."

At Bees Creek Primary School in the Northern Territory, Year 6 student Zoe Hargood has been nominated to receive the award. 

“Zoe has a positive attitude toward all tasks,” teacher Chris Crabb said. “She takes pride in all aspects of her schooling and has earnt mutual trust with both students and teachers. 

“As a Sport Captain this year, Zoe has accepted a lot of individual responsibility and has promoted sportsmanship around our school.”

Like other well deserving nominees, Bianca will receive a gold medallion with an impression of the Boxing Kangaroo on one side and a list of positive values on the other. She will also receive the accompanying certificate and a set of Olympic posters. 

Primary teachers can seek to participate in the BK Medallion Awards program by accessing the registration form on the Olympic Education webpage.