Sport and PE at SJV

Whole School Sport

Whole School Sport has launched at SJV! This exciting initiative is designed to improve key areas of physical fitness and motor skills across all year groups. On Friday afternoons every second week (alternate weeks to assembly), the whoole school will be involved in physical activity. The aim is to enhance endurance, strength, flexibility, and coordination, helping students develop a well-rounded physical foundation.

For students in Preps to Year 2, the focus will be on fundamental motor skills, such as running, jumping, balancing, throwing, and catching. These skills provide a solid base for future physical development, ensuring students have the necessary skills to enjoy and participate in a wide variety of physical activities.

From Years 3 to 6, the focus shifts to more specific areas of fitness, including flexibility, stamina, and strength. Students will also be introduced to more sport-specific skills that help them build expertise in activities like soccer, basketball, and athletics. These years offer a chance to fine-tune motor skills and develop a deeper understanding of sport techniques as well as hone in on concepts introduced during PE lessons.

An added bonus of Whole School Sport is the opportunity for students to engage in mixed-age groups. This promotes social interaction, teamwork, and leadership across different age levels, while fostering a sense of community within the school.

Whole School Sport will provide students with extra opportunities to stay active, develop vital fitness skills, and hopefully build a love for movement.

It was great to see everyone getting involved and having a go!

Taekwondo

Taekwondo lessons continue this week, with students refining their basic skills, including hand strikes, kicks, and blocks. These foundational techniques are essential for developing the balance and coordination needed for more advanced moves.

Last week, students took part in a unique and fun activity focused on "stick" fighting, where they used pool noodles as a safe tool for striking. The aim of this exercise was to teach students how to block and move defensively, while also learning to wait for the right opportunity to launch an attack. This activity helped to sharpen their awareness of timing and strategy in combat situations.

This week's lesson emphasizes teamwork and feedback. Students will work together to support each other, offering constructive feedback on techniques, and learning to communicate effectively. 

Looking ahead, next week will focus on board breaking, an iconic aspect of martial arts that builds physical strength, precision, as well as physical and mental resilience. The lesson will challenge students to push their limits, helping them develop not only their Taekwondo techniques but also their confidence and determination.

With each lesson, students are gaining valuable skills that extend far beyond martial arts, including discipline, teamwork, and confidence.

District Swimming

Nineteen dedicated students proudly represented our school at the District Swimming Carnival. They showcased their talent and determination across a variety of events, including freestyle relay teams, individual races, and a medley relay team. Each student gave their best effort, and they should all be incredibly proud of their performances.

A special mention goes to those who committed to early morning training sessions to prepare for the competition. Their dedication to improving their skills and teamwork was evident on the day.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Lauren, who generously lent her expertise during the training sessions. Her guidance and support played a crucial role in helping the students prepare for this challenging event.

Overall, the carnival was a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their swimming skills and represent the school with pride. We lookforward to having even more students involved next year. Well done to all involved!

House Cross Country

The House Cross Country Carnival is coming up on Friday, March 28. It is shaping up to be a great day for the whole school.  Students in grades 3-6 will have the chance to progress to the District Cross Country Carnival later in term 2.

If anyone is interested in helping out, please contact Dominique Monotti via dominique.monotti@sjvparkdale.catholic.edu.au .