It was lovely to see the students after the break and to witness their enthusiasm to participate in our first Health and PE session of Term Two!

Our Grade 3-6 students commenced the session with a cross country jog as a warm up followed by some team building and cooperative activities. Our Grade F-2 students enjoyed a fun warm up on the oval before also leaping into some team building and cooperative activities as well as some Tabloid Sports games.

All classes discussed the importance of equality, inclusion and treating others with respect. We reflected on how we feel ourselves when we are treated respectfully and how we feel when we are not treated respectfully. Each week, over the term, as part of our Health component of the curriculum, the students will continue to explore and discuss various health related concepts including our personal strengths, social skills to manage and positively influence relationships, responding to others with sensitivity and celebrating our similarities and differences, along with participating in our regular physical education activities.

This term our Grade F-2 students will be focusing on further developing their fundamental motor skills of running kicking, throw and catch and striking through a range of different activities including obstacle courses, relays, skills sessions and games. We will also focus on dance as well as physical group challenges where students adopt creative thinking and use trial and error to make judgements. Our Grade 3-6 students will focus on cross country running, soccer and t ball and the related fundamental skill development and movement sequence development, as well as small group physical challenges where critical and creative thinking will be to be employed. Our overarching theme of fair play, equality and inclusion continues to encompass our all of our lessons.

Upcoming Sports Events

*District Tabloid Sports Event: Friday 2nd May – Grade F-2 students at Wesley Hill Recreation Reserve (10am-1pm). Families welcome to attend.

*District Cross Country: Friday 9th May – Grade 3 students (Grade 4-6 on camp) at Wesley Hill Recreation Reserve (12:15pm-2:45pm). Families welcome to attend. Students aged 8-9 will run 2km on this day (they do not have to run the entire distance of course). We are seeking volunteers to help marshal students around the course – if you are available and able to assist please let Clare know. THANK YOU!

*St Mary’s Cross Country Event: Tuesday 13th May – Grade 3-6 students at St Mary’s Primary School (9am-11am). 8/9-10 year old students run 2 km whilst 11-12+ year old students run 3km (which of course can be a combination of walking and jogging as the students know – rather than a race the focus is on personal achievement.) Families are most welcome to come along if you are free to cheer the students on and support them to achieve the goal of reaching the finish line, at whatever pace that may be. Students who run competitively and finish in our top 5 (approx) will be eligible to attend the second round of cross country, the Division Event at Wesley Hill Recreation Reserve on Friday 16th May. These students will be given an invitation and informed of their age group run time. Parents/carers will then be responsible to transport and supervise their child/ren at this event.

*Division Cross Country Event (2nd Round Cross Country): Friday 16th May – Eligible students from age 10 onwards at Wesley Hill Recreation Reserve (10am-2pm). Parents/carers will be informed and will be required to take their own child/ren to this event at their child’s/ren’s run time if they wish for them to participate – it is not compulsory.

Clare Grainger

Science & PE Specialist Teacher

clare.grainger@smcastlemaine.catholic.edu.au

Year 5/6