P to the E with Leigh

For optimal health benefits, children and young people (aged 5–17 years) should achieve the recommended balance of high levels of physical activity, low levels of sedentary behaviour, and a sufficient amount of sleep each day. A healthy 24 hours includes: Accumulating 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day involving mainly aerobic activities;

  • Several hours of a variety of light physical activities;
  • Limiting sedentary recreational screen time to no more than 2 hours per day;
  • Breaking up long periods of sitting as often as possible;
  • An uninterrupted 9 to 11 hours of sleep per night for those aged 5–13 years
  • Consistent bed and wake-up times.

Activities that are vigorous, as well as those that strengthen muscle and bone should be incorporated at least 3 days per week.

The following information was from the Australian Department of Health.

Foundation PE Learning:

  • Increase confidence of basic hand eye coordination and ball skills
  • Using different types of bats to hit the ball - cricket bats, small bats and tennis racquets
  • Cooperative games encouraging moving body in different ways - jump, hop, skip, run
  • Swimming program

Learning in Year 1/2:

  • Following instructions and rules of a game involving moving and bouncing a ball
  • Developing strength of upper body to catch and throw basketballs
  • Focus on a warm up routine and learning the importance of warming up and cooling down
  • Learning to strike a ball of a tee or cone
  • Swimming program about developing technique and building children’s stamina and awareness of being safe in the water.

Learning in Year 3/4

  • Team skills - working cooperatively and strategic team play
  • Learning about offensive and defensive play in team sports
  • Rugby Union knowledge and skills
  • Striking and hitting balls from a tee - giving feedback and coaching each other
  • Working with Keith Howden our specialist basketball coach
  • Swimming program

Learning in Year 5/6:

  • Sport focus - cricket, soccer, football, basketball, newcombe and hockey
  • Coaching with Keith Howden the specialised basketball/athletics coach
  •  Inter school sports is a chance for the children to compete and socialise with schools across the district.
  • Spark Health activities and games