Health, PE and Outdoor & Environmental Studies

What a big semester we have had, with Covid hitting again it can’t be underestimated the benefits that physical activity and mental health strategies can have on all people of our community. 

The PE department continued to use the school’s physical and mental health website with an enormous amount of resources for students, parents and teachers to use during lockdown to keep themselves healthy and fit. 

The year 7 health students have created their time capsules in class, a fantastic initiative the teachers have brought in as a reflection tool and method of communicating with their future self. These will be kept at school and presented to their future selves when they graduate in 2025. What a treat it will be for students to see how far they have come and an opportunity to reflect on how successful they have been over their time at MSC. Below is an example of 7C student, Alexander Classon’s letter to his future self.

“Dear future self,

I hope you have had a great time at school. Hopefully you have made lots of new friends that are kind and generous. I hope you tried your best in school and got a good education. You should still be playing footy and/or Tennis. If you are not, I hope you are doing something that you enjoy and you are keeping fit. I’m sure you are still a great person that tries their best in everything. You are catching up with friends and talking to them lots, I hope. I hope you have achieved lots with your life and have a part time job, so you are earning money. Spend your money wisely because if you don’t it will not be helpful later in life. Have you gone for your learner’s license? If you haven’t you probably should and if you have, I hope you passed. If you didn’t pass it doesn’t matter because I know you will keep trying your best and pass it quickly.

If you are in Moss Watson great job on improving lots. If you have not yet achieved Moss Watson keep trying but you might not be playing Tennis and if you are not hopefully you are good at something else, you enjoy.  If you have gone to different countries around the world, I hope you had a great time and if you have not you should look for some time to go to a different country for a holiday because it would be a great experience for you. I hope you are looking at a car to buy for yourself because it will be a great thing if you have a car. Spend lots of time with your friends because that will make you very happy in life. The last thing is to keep friends and family close and never give up on your dreams”

With the amazing facilities at MSC, we often forget how lucky we really are for our practical PE classes! All students of all year levels during their practical PE classes have experienced different opportunities within these facilities. From the year 12 students completing their high jump practical indoors at our stadium for their biomechanics SAC and the junior students using the pool for their aquatics unit to learn the basics about swimming techniques and water safety to the outdoor ed classes using the Trangia’s and setting up tents in preparation for their camps.

Throughout the first and part of the second term (before lockdown 4.0) we took the advantage to run numerous excursions and camps across the department, the middle year electives had the opportunity to explore local recreational facilities such as the Enchanted Maze, Lawn Bowls and numerous bush walks around the Mornington Peninsula and how they physically and mentally benefit all ages and demographics of the community. The VCE and year 10 Outdoor Ed students attended overnight camps to align with their studies, the year 10’s ventured to Phillip Island. 

The VCE students visited the Murray River for a canoeing trip to investigate and experience the local community’s contemporary relationship with the Murray River. 

The year 11 Health and Human Development classes studied Nutrition. To consolidate students’ understanding of the relationship between good food sources of nutrients and their role in the health and development of youth, students were asked to work individually or with a partner and buy their own ingredients. When the students decided on a suitable meal, they researched the nutrients present and their functions in the body. They then prepared and evaluated their nutritious meal suitable for youth. Judges were invited to taste test each dish (including myself) and ask the students to evaluate their choice in relation to the aim of the task. The winner(s) was given a prize. 

Russell Fulton

Health, PE and Outdoor and Environment Studies Leader