Physical Education Curriculum Overview

Physical Education is a key learning area in our curriculum at Ballam Park Primary school. 

The physical education and sports program provides children with opportunities to be actively involved. While learning fundamental motor skills and developing their fitness, students are given the opportunity to gain an understanding about the health benefits of physical activity. Social skills such as cooperative behaviour, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills are also developed through an involvement in weekly sport and physical education lessons. 

Foundation

In Foundation, students are introduced to rules, safety and fundamental movement skills in a range of different settings, including indoor, outdoor and aquatic. Students participate in simple games, learn to follow instructions and to remain on task. Fundamental movement skills are developed and practised during these Foundation years to improve students’ competence and confidence in their movement abilities for subsequent years.

PMP

Foundation students are actively involved in the Perceptual Motor Program (PMP). The key areas of development through PMP are: Gross motor skills, the acquisition of large scale movements and fine motor skills. Balance, body and space awareness are also developed through a variety of activities in this one hour weekly program.

In Term 3, Foundation students participate in an intensive swimming program at the local swim centre PARC. This includes 5 days of daily swimming and water safety lessons aligned with the Victorian curriculum.

Year 1- 2

In Year 1 and Year 2, students further develop their knowledge and understanding of fundamental movement skills through a variety of physical activities and minor games. Skills such as catching, throwing, balancing, jumping and kicking are formally introduced and consolidated. Safe use of equipment and simple rule systems in modified games are explored. Through active involvement, personal and social skills such as cooperation, decision making and persistence are practised in weekly PE lessons and platoon sessions. 

In Term 3, Year 1 and 2 students participate in an intensive swimming program at the local swim centre PARC. This includes 5 days of daily swimming and water safety lessons aligned with the Victorian curriculum.

Year 3-4

Physical Education and Sport sessions continue to build on previous learning of fundamental movement skills. With a focus on specific skill development, students are provided with an opportunity to combine a range of movements to create more complicated movement patterns and sequences. Practice and development of these skills along with fitness tests provides students with an opportunity to improve their competence and confidence when formally introduced to School Cross Country, Basketball events and Athletic events.

The lessons are designed to encourage fun and positive social interaction with an emphasis on rules and strategies when playing minor games such as dodgeball, soccer, tee-ball, cricket, rounders and netball.

Year 5- 6

Students in Years 5-6 further develop and refine their fundamental movement skills. Phys-ed lessons provide an opportunity for students to combine more complicated movement patterns and sequences for increasingly complex games and activities introduced at this level. Formal rules of sport, tactical strategies, good sportsmanship, fair play and having fun are all a focus to support our students when they compete in School sport events, such as Athletics, Cross Country, Winter and Summer Interschool Sport. Students at Ballam park Primary school have proudly represented the school at District, Division and Regional level in such events.

Additional Programs

Bike Ed- Year 3 and Year 4

The Bike Ed program is designed for students to understand safe cycling behaviours and practise basic riding skills to ride independently. Students participate in practical lessons learning how to correctly wear a helmet, how to brake safely, hand signalling and riding in a shared environment on simulated tracks and roads within the school grounds. The 8 week program culminates in a group ride to Ballam Park playground at the end of term.

Swimming Program- Year 3-6

The venue for the Swimming and Water safety programs alternate each year at either PARC or the Frankston Life Saving Club. The 2 hour sessions are conducted by qualified swimming and lifesaving instructors. Students participate in a rotation of water activities learning about: rescues, self preservation, including clothed swims, wearing life jackets and seeking help. eg introduction to First Aid , DRS ABCD.

Walk to School day

Students across all year levels participate in an annual, national event when all primary school children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. It is a community event seeking to promote road safety, health, public transport and the environment.

Camp- Year 5 & 6

Students are provided with an opportunity to participate in a camp at Woorabinda. The 4 day camp provides opportunities for students to participate in a program that blends a range of outdoor and environmental education activities, in a safe and secure learning environment. Students develop a variety of skills designed to heighten their awareness of themselves, others and the environment.

House Athletics Carnival- Year 3-6

This is an annual carnival held at the Ballam Park athletics track adjacent to our school. The carnival gives students the opportunity to compete in a variety of athletic events. The emphasis of the day is on fun and participation with students rotating through the events with their age group. Students score points for their House (Marsh, Elliott, Mckay and Bradman) by simply having a go.

An outcome of this carnival is a strong sense of belonging and camaraderie with the students.

Sporting Clinics and Sporting School Programs 

The school also brings in specialists from Sporting School funded programs. Students across all year levels have participated in a variety of clinics including:

  • Hockey
  • Aussie Rules football (AFL)
  • Cricket
  • AFL
  • Rugby
  • Football (Soccer)
  • Basketball
  • Yoga
  • Gymnastics
  • Baseball
  • Lacrosse