Physical Education

Welcome to PE!

Physical Education (PE): a new initiative at Arlington

This week we introduced our newly formed Physical Education (PE) program.  I have had the pleasure of meeting all the children at Arlington. I have welcomed some very new friends and become reacquainted with some familiar faces.  

Our PE program will mostly consist of  a physical activity component with possibilities to explore and make connections with classroom projects. Primarily my role is to facilitate the acquisition of fundamental movement skills (FMS), concepts and strategies to enable our children to confidently, competently and creatively participate in a range of physical activities. Fundamental motor skills will be introduced, practised, performed and refined in a variety of settings during PE classes.  Playing games to teach understanding will be a focus as this enables us all to play then stop and ask questions, maybe talk about any challenges and then play again with modifications.

Personal and social responsibility through our PE program will provide our students with many opportunities to practise respect, courage and compassion which are core values at Preshil.

Interestingly, Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS) are generally not picked up incidentally or through play. They require explicit teaching and structured practise. What are the FMS? There are 11 fundamental motor skills that have a direct relationship to specific, more complex, sport skills that can be transferred to a broad range of sports. For example the FMS ‘overhand throw’ is specific to softball, cricket, volleyball, badminton, netball, baseball, javelin, and tennis. Term 1 has a focus on throwing and catching a ball including the perceptual motor skill of tracking and receiving information and one handed strike. We are also engaging in lots of locomotor activities including running, jumping, skipping and sidestepping whilst keeping ourselves safe in open spaces. During weeks 1-4 the skills will be introduced and practised through a variety of activities. During weeks 5- 8 we will be working with some professional tennis coaches to deliver a 'tennis for school program' in a modified environment with equipment appropriate for all children.

On Tuesday and Wednesday mornings the children are able to join me in the Front Garden from 8.15am to engage in some fitness circuits, obstacle courses or walking around the garden.

Talitha Crawford