Around the Senior School

Year 8 PDHPE – “Row Your Boat” Unit

From Mr Ben Watt, MIC Rowing

Over the past fortnight, Year 8 PDHPE students have engaged in Row Your Boat, a two-week unit designed to introduce the fundamentals of rowing. 

Across five lessons, students explored both the practical and theoretical aspects of the sport, gaining a well-rounded appreciation of what rowing involves.

As part of the program, students:

• Participated in a guided tour of the school’s rowing shed.
• Practised safe wet exit drills in the pool using single sculls.
• Completed three lessons focused on developing correct ergometer technique.
• Undertook a 1000m ergometer performance test to conclude the unit.

Throughout the program, students examined key areas including rowing technique, the physiological demands of the sport, the equipment used, and the training required. Anthropometric data was also introduced, with students recording and analysing personal measurements alongside practical physical testing.

The unit further provided insight into the power-to-weight relationship in rowing, while offering a basic introduction to fluid dynamics and the effect of water resistance on boat speed.

This engaging and hands-on learning experience has given students a valuable introduction to rowing, combining classroom knowledge with practical application.

A massive thank you to the Year 8 students, who were engaged, enthusiastic, and a pleasure to teach throughout the unit. Thank you also to Mrs Elly Reynolds and the PDHPE staff for supporting and facilitating the program, and a special mention to Mr Sam Byrne for joining his class in completing the erg test.

Best wishes to all Year 8 students in their upcoming summer sport endeavours.

Year 8 Rowing Unit

 From Mrs Elly Reynolds, Head of PDHPE

During the first two weeks of Term 3, Year 8 students participated in five introductory rowing sessions as part of their PDHPE program. 

These sessions introduced students to the fundamentals of rowing, including technique development on the ergometers, a visit to the Kinross Wolaroi rowing shed, and a practical pool training session.

In the pool, students completed a swim test, practised safe boat entry and exit, and developed confidence balancing while seated in a rowing shell. The program provided a valuable and engaging opportunity for Year 8 to experience various aspects of the Kinross Wolaroi Rowing program, and their enthusiasm throughout was evident.

Adding to the fun, our fantastic Year 8 PDHPE teachers (Mr Sam Byrne, Ms Mikaela Connors, and Mr Thomas Markey) also took the opportunity to build their own skills on the erg, tackling the 500m, 750m, and 1000m challenges with energy and good humour.

We extend our sincere thanks to the four Kinross Rowing coaches who generously shared their expertise, with special appreciation to Mr Ben Watt and Mr Will Stanley Davis. A particular thank you goes to Mr Bem Watt (MIC Rowing) for his outstanding organisation and leadership in delivering such a well-structured and enjoyable program.

Year 9 PDHPE Gymnastics

From Mr Nathan Short, Year 9 PDHPE Coordinator

This term in Year 9 practical lessons students are participating in a unit on gymnastics. There are varying degrees of experience within each class, we have some seasoned gymnasts and some of the students are learning skills from scratch.

We have been building technique to begin with, ensuring safety but most importantly, having fun! In these lessons students have learnt how to land and fall safely, complete basic balances and form shapes in groups.

Over the duration of this unit, we will move onto some of the more challenging skills of gymnastics such as forward rolls, handstands, cartwheels, handsprings, and log rolls. We will also look to increase confidence with using various apparatus such as vaults and trampolines where we will practice aerial manoeuvres and focus on landing safely.

Looking ahead, the highlight for many students is the visit to Central West Gymnastics. Students will compete in a Ninja Warrior challenge (similar but smaller scale to the TV show). This is a high energy course where students will have their endurance, strength and stamina tested over a series of challenges, culminating in the famous warped wall.

Our Year 9 teachers are proud of how quickly everyone is picking up new skills and supporting each other during each lesson. We are also excited for the news skills each student will learn throughout this unit.

Author Visit: Suzanne Leal

Thursday 28 August for Years 6, 7 and 8 students

Suzanne Leal is the author of six novels: The Watchful Wife, The Teacher’s Secret and The Deceptions, winner of the Nib People’s Choice Prize.  Her novel for middle-grade readers, Running with Ivan, is on the Children’s Book Council of Australia Notables List for Younger Readers and was shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s History Awards and the ARA Historical Novel Prize.

An experienced facilitator and interviewer, Suzanne is the founder of Thursday Book Club, a relaxed book club connecting readers online. The Year We Escaped is her new novel for middle-grade readers. She will be running a workshop for all students in Years 7 and 8 called True tales and fiction. 

In this workshop students will discover the magic of using real places, events & people to create their own story. This workshop is designed to encourage students to consider writing a story based on the life or experiences of someone they know. The workshop includes a brainstorming session followed by writing prompts and a guided time to draft the first page of a story students that they can continue after the workshop. 

Students in Year 6 will hear a presentation by Suzanne titled Tales of friendship, war and adventure and the true stories behind them. In this presentation, she will discuss her novels for middle-grade readers, Running with Ivan and The Year We Escaped and the true wartime stories that inspired them.