Wheelers Hill Primary takes pride in providing all students with a weekly 50-minute session taught by a physical education specialist. We have a full sized gymnasium, so sessions are not dependent on weather. Our storerooms are full of engaging, colourful equipment which is used to teach skills across all areas of the Health and Physical Education curriculum. Our goal is to support all students in developing a wide range of physical skills, as well as a healthy attitude toward physical activities and assist them to make sound lifestyle choices as they continue to grow.

Foundation - Year 2

When students transition into school, they bring with them a wide range of health and movement experiences. Through the development of fundamental movement skills, physical play, manipulation of equipment and spatial awareness, children begin to develop movement competence. They also become sufficiently skilled and confident to complete everyday tasks, explore their physical surroundings, and participate in movement activities.

The curriculum in Foundation to Year 2 focuses on developing the knowledge, understanding, and skills that support students to be healthy, safe and active individuals who can move competently and confidently in a range of physical spaces. The health contexts explored here include food and nutrition, health benefits of physical activity and personal safety.

In these junior classes, the movement focus includes active play, body movement patterns and minor games. Fundamental motor skills such as catching, throwing, balancing, jumping and kicking are introduced. Simple Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) and gymnastic skills are taught to ensure students develop bodily awareness and improve coordination. We use a variety of equipment to develop cooperative behaviours, confidence and to challenge skill development in a range of exciting and meaningful experiences.

Years 3-4

Students in Years 3-4 continue to develop their fundamental movement skills, learn about the common features of games and expand their understanding of movement strategies to increase their sense of success in physical activities. Wheelers Hill Primary School’s curriculum allows each student to engage in a range of movement activities designed to develop further individual competence and confidence. Through these authentic experiences, students are supported and encouraged to maintain a lifelong passion for physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

Our Physical Education sessions encourage positive social interaction through active play, minor games, challenges and adventure activities (including a Year 4 outdoor education camp). Students in these years develop fundamental movement skills through targeted games, coordination activities, health related physical activities and rhythmic movement tasks. Rhythmic body movement is incorporated in areas such as creative movement, gymnastics, circus skills and elastics. Dance aspects of movement are also incorporated in the Performing Arts specialist area. The rules of many games are introduced and students focus on more specific skill development. We use a variety of equipment to develop cooperative behaviours, confidence and to challenge skill development in a range of exciting and meaningful experiences.

The health context explored during the middle years includes food and nutrition, health benefits of physical activity, mental health and wellbeing and personal safety.

Years 5-6

As students move through primary school, the focus broadens to include the knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary to support and enhance their own health and wellbeing and that of their family and friends. Students in Years 5-6 further develop and refine their fundamental movement skills, learn about the common skills/features of major games and expand their understanding of movement strategies and different tactical solutions to increase their sense of success in physical activities. The Health and Physical Education program in these years plays an important role in supporting, encouraging and maintaining lifelong physical activity participation. Practical learning experiences in these years are specifically designed to support students in selecting, implementing, and maintaining an appropriate physical activity routine to enhance health and wellbeing routines beyond the primary years. Student activities and achievements made outside the school environment are also supported and recognized within the school context on a regular basis.

For students in the upper primary years, various games and sports skills are refined, with formal rules, sportsmanship and fair play all being major focal areas. Physical skill development is further enhanced and fine-tuned. Challenge and adventure activities include a Year 5 and 6 Outdoor Education camp. Health related physical activities link to general fitness levels and lifetime wellbeing habits. The health context explored during the senior years includes food and nutrition, health benefits of physical activity, mental health and wellbeing, puberty development and personal safety.

Inter-School Sport

Wheelers Hill Primary School is part of the WESA (Waverley East Sports Association) competing in a variety of inter-school competitions each year. These include:

Swimming
Cross country
Athletics
Summer sports (softball, basketball, cricket, kickball, volleystars & tennis)
Winter sports (AFL, soccer, T-ball, netball & rounders)

Whole School Fitness

Students at Wheelers Hill Primary are strongly encouraged to support whole school activities whilst improving their personal fitness levels. Some of these activities are used as school fund raisers. Such activities have included:

Adidas Fun Run
3-6 Athletics Carnival
Ride To School Day
Walk to School Day
Tabloid Sports Evenings

Out-Sourced Programs

Outside providers come in to work with the students at Wheelers Hill Primary on a regular basis. Such providers are used to enhance the school programs and to provide expert advice, equipment and experience. These sessions run across all student levels and have included: