Focus on Physical Education

Physical Education Focus

It is hard to believe that we are already halfway through term 4, even though the end of year is approaching there are still plenty of exciting things happening in PE, and events to come in sport, but more on those later.

During PE this term students are beginning each lesson with skipping. Skipping is a great warm up activity to get students active and help improve their coordination. Group skipping is ideal for practising cooperation and teamwork skills.

After warm up skipping, the Foundation, Grade 1 and 2 students have been using bat tennis bats and tennis racquets to improve their striking skills. They have been practising as individuals as well as in pairs, playing splat tennis, learning to underarm serve and rally.

The Grade 3 and 4 students have looked at throwing, rounders, and t-ball. While playing these games they have been focussing on fielding strategies and the importance of spreading out and staying in your position. These games also help students with their striking, throwing, and catching skills.

The Grade 5 students are turning their attention to 2025 as they practise the interschool sports that will be available to them in Year 6. So far they have practised the skills used in cricket blast, as well as played games of rounders, next they will be moving onto softball.

Finally the Grade 6 students have been looking at the sport of roundnet. For those who are unfamiliar with this sport it is a combination of volleyball and two-square. Teams of two have three hits, like in volleyball, to hit the ball down onto a round net, once the ball hits the net possession changes to the other team and they have three hits to strike it back onto the net. This is a unique and new challenge for many of the students.

Sports News 

Congratulations

The start of term four saw a large number of students represent the school at the Northern Region Athletics Carnival, students qualified for this event by finishing first or second at last term's Division athletics event. The Grade 6 girls basketball team and the Grade 6 cricket team also represented Fairfield in division playoff events earlier this term. These teams did a remarkable job versus some tough competition. Congratulations to all students who represent the school at these division and region events.

Hoop Time Tournament

In early September, 90 students from Fairfield PS attended Coburg Stadium to play against other local schools in the Hoop Time competition, run by Basketball Victoria. The students had a lot of fun playing basketball with their friends and showing off their skills. Congratulations to the Senior Boys 3 team (grade 5/6) team who made it to the semi-finals against some very tough competition, and to the Junior Boys 3 team and Junior Girls 2 team (Grade 3/4), which were the winners of their day, and proceeded to the Northern Regional Finals held on Friday, 8 November.

Both teams played exceptionally well at the Regionals, finishing with a few wins for the day against some seriously good basketballers. 

Congratulations to all the students who participated and represented FPS so well. Thanks to the parents who volunteered their time to coach, score or support the teams on the various days. Thanks too to Millie Lacy, the Hoop Time coordinator.

Indigenous Sports

Sadie, the PE captain, Monique, and Lila, PE committee members, have taken it upon themselves to start up an Indigenous Games club on Thursday lunch times this term. These students have researched incredible indigenous games such as Diyari Koolchee pictured. These games have been lots of fun to learn and play and the students who attend have had a great time. This club happens each Thursday lunch and is open to any Foundation students that would like to come along and participate.

Alternative Sports News

Grade 5 students this term are busy learning how to play lacrosse. This is part of their alternative sports program. This is being delivered by an external coach from Lacrosse Australia on Friday afternoons. This year the Grade 5s have participated in the following alternative sports; taekwondo, badminton and lacrosse.

Future Sporting News

Triathlon

2024 sees the return of the Northcote District Triathlon on Tuesday 19 November. This is a team event, which was open to all interested students in Years 4 – 6. Teams of three take turns competing one leg each of the triathlon; swim, run and bike. This is a fun event with the emphasis on participation and enjoying being active. There are a large number of sign ups, with 45 teams and three individuals taking part. This event will be a lot of fun but it does require support from families, if you have a child attend and can assist with the event please sign up here.

House Swimming Carnival

All Year 3 – 6 students will have the opportunity to take part in the School’s House Swimming Carnival. This event is taking place on Wednesday 4 December at Coburg Pool, from 10am – 1pm. Students will be transported to Coburg Pool and will have the opportunity to take part in races and score points for their house. Races take place in both the deep 50m pool for confident swimmers as well as the shallow 25m pool for anyone who would like to participate but does not want to race in the 50m events. Students will be signing up for races in PE lessons and more details will be sent out in a Compass communication soon. This event is lots of fun and families are encouraged to come along and watch/assist, so please add this event to your calendar and keep the day free to come along.

Foundation – Year 2 Sports Day

The final sporting event of 2024 will be the much loved Junior School Sports Day. This event is held at school and all students in Foundation, Grade 1 and 2 will have the chance to participate in activities created by the Year 6 students, as well as run a race on the oval and score a point for their House. This event is happening on Friday 13th December, families are most welcome to attend and watch their children at this event.

~ Geoff McShane, Physical Education Teacher & Sports Coordinator