We are kind to our bodies
Lockleys North Primary School
Wellbeing
All Learning Spaces in Mellor help support social, emotional and academic learning. Our aim is to make everyone feel valued - children, teachers and parents. Our environments give children opportunities to express their feelings and emotions through purposeful play based programs. Children are given strategies to deal with their feelings in a constructive way, learning how to get along with others in supportive situations. Common language is used across the school by staff and students to support children to be successful at identifying A (strong) and B (weak) choices. Children are involved in decision making multiple times throughout the day which assists everyone to feel a sense of belonging. The beginning of this year has seen a huge focus on kindness and how this affects both children's own wellbeing and that of others around them.
Healthy Eating
Our students need to bring a small piece of fruit or vegetable to eat during our Healthy Eating Session each day. We encourage children to be involved in choosing and preparing their snack as research shows that they are more likely to eat food that they have had an input into.
Relaxation
Relaxation and calming the mind and body are an essential part of everyday life. After lunch all Mellor students are involved in relaxation in the classroom. They are encouraged to find a spot that is comfortable for them away from other distractions and listen to calming music or guided meditations. This allows time to calm the body and refocus for the afternoon.
Physical Education
Building children’s engagement and enthusiasm for physical activity is vital for their wellbeing.
Daily physical activity promotes a healthy heart, healthy mind and healthy body.
Being active is easy and can be as simple as gardening, taking the dog for a walk or going ten pin bowling with the family. This year we will continue to promote the importance of physical activity through PE and through the Premier’s Be Active Challenge, a program for all South Australian children. At the end of the challenge, what better way to be rewarded than with a medal to take home and keep, not to mention a fitter, healthier you! More information about The Premier's Be Active Challenge will be provided at a later date.
This semester, children will continue to develop and refine fundamental movement skills and increase levels of fitness, through cooperative games, exploring different sports and involvement in a fun, functional circuit style of training. Functional circuit training provides strength, mobility and stability to thrive in their daily lives and participate in sports. Children will learn basic movement patterns like pushing, pulling, squatting, walking and running.
They will be given opportunities to apply strategies to participate with others in physical activities in a safe and fair way, learning to follow basic game rules successfully. Children will regularly engage in warm up sessions, promoting and learning the importance of stretching before and after physical activity.
Children will develop and refine their gross motor skills through various ball sports, involving throwing, catching and kicking a stationary and moving ball. They will also engage in various types of locomotion such as dodging, weaving and running.
Throughout the semester children will be involved in sporting clinics, explicitly teaching children skills that can be implemented and developed throughout the year.
Children have been busy getting off to a great start, establishing learning agreements and building on teamwork and sportsmanship. With our annual Sports Day coming up at the end of Term 1, Friday 29th March we are busy practising the tabloid events, ensuring children can feel confident, successful and participate with enthusiasm on the day. Sports Day supports children to build confidence, foster communication between peers and learn important social skills like turn taking, sharing and encouragement in a safe, supportive environment.
Children are reminded to wear suitable clothing and footwear to all PE lessons to ensure their full participation.
Our Mellor PE lessons are Monday M5, Wednesday M1, M2 and M3 and Thursday M4.
Amy Byrnes Early Years PE
Amy.Byrnes464@schools.sa.edu.au