Physical Education at Whitfield
At Whitfield State School, Physical Education helps students develop the skills, confidence and motivation to lead active and healthy lives. Through a specialist Physical Education program, students build fundamental movement skills, fitness, teamwork and sportsmanship across a wide range of physical activities and sports. School carnivals, representative pathways and interschool competitions provide further opportunities for students to participate, challenge themselves and experience the benefits of belonging to a team.
Our approach to teaching Physical Education provides students with regular opportunities to learn through movement and develop the skills, game sense confidence and motivation to be skilled in movement and sport. Students participate in a range of games, sports and physical activities that progressively develop fundamental movement skills, coordination, fitness and game awareness. They also learn to apply movement strategies, work effectively with others, demonstrate fair play and reflect on their performance, building the foundations for lifelong participation in physical activity.
Within Health and Physical Education learning and our school's Peak capabilities programs, students also develop the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their health, safety, wellbeing and positive personal relationships.
Elements of Health and Physical Education (HPE) at Whitfield State School
HPE Specialist program – Outdoor and undercover specialist lessons for every student, every week, every year. Students learn HPE as part of the Australian Curriculum and this subject is assessed and reported against these standards.
Early Years Gross motor program – Each week our sports coach delivers a gross motor program for all Prep students, developing their foundational skills such as balance, coordination, running, jumping, throwing and catching. Regular participation allows us to identify children who may need additional support due to muscle tone or other factors, while also recognising emerging strengths and sporting talent. This early insight helps teachers provide targeted opportunities so every child can build confidence and experience success through movement.
Peak Sporting Excellence – Weekly lunchtime and/or before school training for those students who have been identified and possess and/or demonstrate particular advanced skills are chosen into squads or teams of players each term. Selection involves skills-based testing and a target group of students are selected and invited to participate.
Once selected in this program, students will be coached by coaches who have been sourced from inside the school or the wider sporting community who have either played or coached representative sport. This program includes between 20 and 30 children per sport per term. Priority is given to AFL, Hockey, Basketball, Netball, Tennis, Soccer and Cricket as local sports with a clear school connection to community participation.
Strive sporting excellence coaching – students selected to represent at district, regional or state level sports are provided both general and specific coaching by our Sports Coach. Students will develop a performance improvement and training plan as required.
Sports mentoring program – Students in this program are selected to undertake regular intensive mentoring through sport and fitness. With our sports coach, children focus on building their confidence to coach and lead others as well as develop emotional and self-regulation skills.
Peak Sport and Fitness Academy – With twice weekly practice and instruction sessions during lunch and class time, our Peak Sports Academy, includes up to 90 children in sport and fitness excellence learning.