Physical Education
Within our Physical Education sessions we believe movement knowledge, skills and student dispositions develop in Physical Education. We trust we will encourage students to become lifelong participants of a multitude of physical activities. At St Simon’s Primary School we provide opportunities for students to acquire a wide range of movement skills, concepts and strategies that enable confidence and participation in a range of physical activities. The Physical Education curriculum promotes lifelong physical activity and complements the understanding that moving and recreational activity is good for your health.
Our school embraces the philosophy of, ‘Game Sense’ where students discover reasoning behind specific skills in order to play a game. As the students play, enjoy and learn strategies they develop skills. Our physical education and sporting programme is diverse, structured, engaging and enjoyable for all students. Our affiliation with School Sports Victoria enables our senior students’ participation in a wide range of sporting events competing with schools in the local area and beyond.
Our Health and Physical Education curriculum is comprehensive in design comprising of various sub strands of Understanding Movement and Learning through Movement. The physical education curriculum also draws on additional domains of Interpersonal Development, Personal Learning, Thinking and Communication. We have also begun to incorporate ICT within the PE Curriculum to highlight individual mechanics and to give feedback during and following skill development sessions. Video cameras are used and then replayed in slow-motion so students can see and critique their style and the mechanics of various actions. The students are the ones doing the filming and giving and receiving feedback based on skill criteria.
Another new initiative this year was the implementation of the delivery of First Aid to students. This program was presented by St John’s Ambulance staff within the classroom setting. Children enjoyed being bandaged during hypothetical injuries and answering questions with great enthusiasm.
The Health and Physical Education Learning Focus statements and standards contain three broad themes (motor skill acquisition, participation in physical activity and sport education) which are addressed through a comprehensive Physical Education program.