Prep

During the prep years at APPS, our main focus is on the enjoyment of physical activities. Each lesson contains a set time of moderate aerobic activity. The students perform fundamental motor skills* and movement patterns and this is done both with and without equipment.

In prep, the students are taught to follow rules and procedures and to share equipment and space safely. They are also introduced to the idea of fair play and sportsmanship. Each week I am assisted by senior students in the running of a PMP program that develops the students’ skills in areas such as balance, hand/eye coordination, eye tracking and body awareness. The program is designed to help their classroom learning.

Grades 1 and 2

During grades 1 and 2, students continue to develop their fundamental motor skill and begin to improve their locomotor activities in relation to controlling their bodies when running and changing direction. Activities are designed to help students perform simple rhythmical movements. They regularly engage in moderate to vigorous aerobic activity and begin to investigate the link between physical activity and health.

During these years, competitive games are gently introduced in a way that develops the idea of sportsmanship and being a good winner and loser. We start to discuss the contribution rules make to safe conduct of games and to the idea of respect for team mates and opponents.

Grades 3 and 4

During grade 3 and 4, we start to perform a broad range of complex motor skills, mainly in sport-specific situations. Examples of this is the playing of such sports as softball, basketball and soccer. Students begin to use and understand basic games’ tactics and are encouraged to show fair play and to respect officials.

The students participate in Sport gala days against other schools in the area. In 2009, the 2 gala days are basketball and soccer. For some students, this is their first experience of competition against students they do not know. The format of the day is a round-robin one with the emphasis on enjoyment and participation, not only winning. In all lessons, there is still a part devoted to moderate to vigorous aerobic activity and its importance in relation to health-related fitness.

At Level 3, the more gifted students get the opportunity to represent the school in swimming, cross country and athletics.

Grades 5 and 6

In grade 5 and 6, students start to refine their motor skills and apply them in increasingly complex games and activities. Students are more able to work independently and to assist both more and less- skilled peers to improve game performance. More vigorous aerobic activities are performed and students work in groups to create a game, and establish rules and procedures for its safe conduct.

A lot of time is spent preparing students for 6 gala days following on from their introduction at level 3. In 2009, the gala days are volleyball, soccer, hockey, basketball, AFL football, netball and a super sports day. Again, the emphasis is on enjoyment, participation and fair play. There are boys’ teams, girls’ teams and mixed teams and we try to rotate students over the year.

More gifted students represent the school in swimming, cross country and soccer. Students also play in the Tommy Lahiff Cup against schools in the area. Students also get the chance to advance to zone, regional and state level in swimming, athletics, cross country, football and a range of other sports.

Whole School Activities

All students participate in an intensive 3 week swimming program run at their appropriate level. We have a whole school sports day where every student participates on running, jumping, throwing and novelty events. It is a competition between houses for the sports day cup and each student receives at least one ribbon in recognition of their efforts. This year all students participated in an Olympic Sports Day run during the games where each class were involved in a selection of Olympic sports

* Fundamental Motor Skills: Running, jumping, catching, overhand throw, jumping, leaping, ball bounce, soccer kick, punt kick, two –hand strike and side-arm strike

Stonnington and Southport Schools Sports Association (SSSSA)

The SSSSA is the district arm of the Victorian Primary School Sports Association and is responsible for organizing and conducting numerous sporting activities for students attending schools in the Albert Park, Port Melbourne, Middle Park, St Kilda and Toorak areas. There are 10 schools in the district who each provide a representative to become a member of the SSSSA Committee. These members take responsibility to organize all gala days, sports trials, athletics and swimming carnivals each year, and volunteer their time in excess to their teaching loads. All of this work is completed with the aim of providing a holistic and supportive schools sports program for your children.

John Mulligan - PE Teacher.