Physical Education

Physical Education is “education through the physical”. It aims to develop students’ physical competence and knowledge of movement and safety, and their ability to use these to perform in a wide range of activities associated with the development of an active and healthy lifestyle.

It also develops students’ confidence and generic skills, especially those of collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking and aesthetic appreciation. These, together with the nurturing of positive values and attitudes in PE, provide a good foundation for students’ lifelong and life-wide learning.

Prep:
Prep students will be introduced to the Physical Education program. Learning safety and working as a team through sharing, encouraging and participating in all activities. They will develop motor skills in the areas of eye-hand, movement and balancing skills. At this early age the children also learn the importance and role that rules and procedures play in the safe conduct of games and activities. They will be actively involved in a 60 minute lesson each week. Prep students also participate in the Parish Junior Sports Carnival and swimming program.

Year 1 & 2: 
Students in Year 1 & 2 will focus on developing body movement patterns and body control through games and gymnastic routines. Ball skills are introduced and consolidated which include throwing, catching, dribbling, kicking and bouncing. Modified games of football, soccer, basketball and tennis are introduced. Water safety and skills are developed during a program at Pelican Park pool. Year 1 & 2 students also participate in the Parish Junior Sports Carnival.

Year 3 & 4:
Students in Year 3 & 4 increase their range of motor skills to practise hitting, throwing, catching, jumping and striking.  Participation in activities and games are used to refine motor skills such as running, hopping, dodging and jumping. A major focus for the year is the introduction of winter sports such as volleyball, soccer, teeball, football and netball and summer sports such as athletics, softball and cricket.

Students in Year 3 & 4 also participate in the School Swimming Sports, Cross Country and Athletics. Selected students represent St. Mary’s at the District Carnival.

Year 5 & 6:
Students in Year 5 & 6 focus on refining basic and complex motor skills and applying these skills in increasingly complex games and activities. They regularly participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity and monitored exercise intensity. The major focus is on Winter sports such as volleyball, netball, soccer and teeball and Summer sports such as kanga cricket, athletics, softball and Rugby.

The students participate in the School Swimming Sports, Cross Country, Athletics and in a Winter sport of their choice.  Selected students represent the School at District, Zone, Regional and State levels in these carnivals.