Physical Education
Health, Physical Education and Sport are regarded as integral parts of the child's total education at Templestowe Park.
The Health and Physical Education program is designed to assist students to develop:
- an understanding of the need for a balance between physical, social and emotional components of health
- the knowledge and skills to make informed judgments, plan strategies and implement and evaluate actions that promote the health and well-being of individuals, families and the community.
Classroom teachers are responsible for the "Health" component of the program, which is taught within the context of the integrated curriculum. The Physical Education specialist teacher is responsible for the delivery of a balanced Physical Education program, incorporating:
- gymnastics
- ball handling skills
- fundamental motor skills
- athletics
- movement
- swimming
- minor and major games
- fitness
All grades have a one-hour weekly session with the Physical Education Teacher, as well as other formal sports or Motor Skills program, conducted by the classroom teachers:
- Interschool Sport - Grade 5 and 6
- House Sports - Grade 3 and 4
- Fundamental Motor Skills - Grade 1 and 2
- Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) - Grade Prep
While developing skill levels in children, the program emphasis is on fun as well as providing an opportunity and involvement of all children. Many clinics are presented throughout the year for different grade levels including bocce, tennis, hockey, basketball, volleyball, football and little athletics. These clinics are conducted by specialists and provide children with an insight into some of the sports they may wish to take up later in life.
Water Education is a required component of the PE program. All students in Grades Prep to 2 are offered an intensive swimming program at Aquarena; students in Grades 3 and 4 participate in an Water Safety Day at the local swimming centre; and students in Grades 5 and 6 take part in an Open Water Learning Experience; this takes part in the environs of a beach setting.
We have some excellent facilities and resources at Templestowe Park to enable the Physical Education program to function effectively. With two big ovals, netball courts, basketball courts, bat tennis courts and plenty of adventure playground equipment for all ages, children at Templestowe Park are never bored.
Each grade level has a designated adventure playground area to enable equipment to be shared across age groups. Sports equipment is available for use by students at lunchtimes and recess through classroom borrowing.
Students are divided into one of four house teams:
- Aumann (Blue)
- Chivers (Green)
- Read (Red)
- Unwin (Gold)
Children in grades three to six compete in the annual House Swimming Sports, House Cross Country and House Athletics sports.
So, as you can see, both within the formal curriculum and through playground activities, the children at Templestowe Park are having fun while developing a range of good health and physical education behaviours which set the foundation for their lives.