Focus on Physical Education

PE Report

This term in PE students have been using elastics at the start of each lesson to warm up their bodies and help with their gross motor skills and coordination. Students have learnt some patterns/rhythms to follow and challenge themselves by raising the height of the elastic after everyone has had a turn at the previous height.

After warming up and moving their bodies the Foundation, Grade 1 and Grade 2 students have focused on kicking, punting and striking a ball with their hands. These fundamental motor skills are the building blocks for different games and sports.

The senior school has been focusing on invasion game strategies. Invasion games are team sports where opposing teams share a playing area, with the goal of 'invading' the opponent's territory to score points while simultaneously defending their own. While playing Capture the Flag, Mat Ball and European Handball students have talked about how to create space as well as simple passing strategies that are used in lots of invasion games.

Sports Report

Even though term three has been a short term, there have been a lot of sporting events crammed in. At the start of the term the Grade 6 mixed netball, girls’ netball and soccer teams competed at the Darebin Division finals, these teams qualified for this event by winning the Northcote District gala days in term two. These three teams played excellently on the day and should be proud of their efforts against some strong competition.

The Grade 5 students have been playing table tennis this term as part of their alternative sports program. Throughout the lessons the students have improved their skills and learnt some of the basics about table tennis.

The school House Athletics carnival finally ended with the completion of the final event – high jump. These trials took place at the start of the term in the gym, over recess and lunch times. The winners from all the House Athletic events, then had the opportunity to compete at the Northcote District Athletics event held at Coburg Track at the end of August. Five relay teams and 17 individual students qualified for the Darebin division event held last Monday at Meadowglen Track. Three of those relay teams and 12 individual athletes have now made it through to the Northern Region Event held early next term. Best of luck to all those students still competing and congratulations to all students who took part in any of the athletics events.

~ Geoff McShane, Physical Education & Sports Teacher