Physical Education Focus

Physical Education Report

The weather may be cooling off and many things may be slowing down but not in PE and sport at FPS... we are just warming up. During PE students across the school have been using exercise ladders at the start of each lesson to warm up. Ladder activities are a great way to get the body moving, improve balance, coordination and agility.

Foundation, Grade 1 & 2 Students

After warming up, the Foundation, Grade 1 and 2 students have been focusing on fundamental movement skills used in lots of games and sports that the students like playing. The fundamental motor skills students have been focusing on so far this term have been: underarm throw, overarm throw, two hand throwing and catching with two hands. Students have been learning about the correct techniques used to perform these skills and have been independently practising these skills at a variety of stations. 

Grade 3 – 6 Students

The main focus of lessons for the senior school classes (Grades 3 to 6) has been on athletics. Students have been exploring and practising the correct techniques used in discus, shot put and hurdles. These events can be a good challenge for students as the movements are different to the fundamental movement skills they are used to performing. The grade 4 – 6 students had the opportunity to put this learning into practice by participating in the House Athletics Day, more on that later. For the rest of this term students will have the chance to practise their hurdles and high jump skills.

Sports Report

Taekwondo & a Gala Day 

Term two is a busy term for many students as cross country and athletics overlap meaning that some students, as well as myself, are attending events regularly. I will briefly mention two events as I am sure the Grade 5 and 6 team would like to report on these themselves. The Grade 5 alternative sport program has kicked off for the year with taekwondo and  students are participating in five lessons, instructed by Trent and George. The Grade 6 students will be attending their second Gala Day for the year this Friday where they will compete in the winter sports of AFL, soccer and netball. We hope the weather holds and it is a great day for all.

Cross Country

The first event for term two was the Northcote District Cross Country Carnival, which was held at Bundoora Park on the 15th of May. Fifty students from Grades 3 – 6 attended this event and there was lots of excitement and nerves amongst them upon arrival.

The district course this year was different to previous years as a new two-lap format was trialled to help with viewing for excited spectators. This meant that rather than competitors starting their race and running off into the distance only to be seen again at the end of the race, they returned past the spectator area. Runners were greeted with huge cheers from the crowd as they completed their first lap and set off around the course a second time. Many students gained an additional burst of energy as they were cheered along by their supporters and surged off to start their final lap.

The district event was very successful for all competitors with everyone running exceptionally well despite the challenging hills of the Bundoora course. The top 10 runners from each race at the district event qualified through to the Darebin Division event and FPS had 17 students who achieved this, an amazing effort. These 17 students once again turned up to Bundoora Park on the 5th of June but this time were confronted with the more challenging long course. They were not deterred by the one loop course (and the loss of support from friends halfway through the race) and they all performed brilliantly with everyone finishing their race and an amazing nine students doing so within the top 12, which means they are off to Kilmore for the Northern Metropolitan Region Championships on the 18th of June. Good luck to those students.

House Athletics Carnival

The  Grade 4 – 6 House Athletics event was a huge success. I would like to say despite the weather conditions the participation rates were high – as were spirits and cheering levels. Thank you so much to those people who came along and supported the day and helped run an event, without you these days would not be possible. I think that is enough from me and I will let Georgia B (PE captain) sum it up from a student perspective.

“On Wednesday 28th June, Years 4, 5 & 6 went to Collingwood Little Aths track. Everyone participated in various activities, including 800m, 200m and 100m track races and in the field events these were shot put, discus and long jump. Despite being quite rainy, we all found the day very fun! 

 

My favourite event was the 800m running race. It was the first time I'd won with a good margin. For many people it was the first time they competed and won a ribbon! 

 

I really appreciate all the adults who put time and effort into organising this big school event! Everyone was exhausted the next day, but it was a complete success!”

 

~ Written by Georgia B

~ Geoff McShane, PE & Sports Teacher