Eastern Ranges School

In Health and Physical Education (HPE), students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to strengthen their sense of self, and build and manage satisfying relationships. The program is designed to help them to be resilient, and to make decisions and take actions to promote their health, safety and physical activity participation. At Eastern Ranges School (ERS) all students in Foundation through to Year 10 participate in two x 50 minute sessions of Health and Physical Education each week.

The Physical Education (PE) program at ERS provides opportunities for students to develop their knowledge of movement and physical activity through a range of school-based activities. We aim to improve coordination, fitness, fundamental motor skill development and knowledge of sports and games during weekly PE lessons, whilst ensuring that all students are having fun! Through PE we promote good sportsmanship, healthy lifestyle choices and encourage the participation of all students across the school. Each term has a different focus

Term 1 – Net and Court Games

Term 2 – Gymnastics

Term 3 – Invasion Games

Term 4 – Striking and Fielding Games

Foundation students participate in a range of movement and skill activities based on a Perceptual Motor Program (PMP). This program is designed to improve balance, coordination and spatial awareness.

Primary aged students work on developing their fundamental motor skills by completing scheduled activities designed to target specific skills such as bouncing, throwing, catching and striking as well as movement skill including jumping, rolling, climbing. These skills provide the foundations which can then be applied in modified game and play situations.

Secondary aged students continue to engage in activities designed to refine these skills while also accessing the Fitness Centre to improve cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, coordination, local muscular endurance and flexibility. Students use equipment such as the treadmill, cross trainer, stepper machine, exercise bike, rowing machine, weights and boxing equipment.

Students in Year 10 will participate in an Outdoor Education program (see Outdoor Ed page)

ERS also offers an interschool sport program that runs all year round. Students in Years 7-9 participate in at least one sport. This program runs every Friday with students having the opportunity to build skills and play modified games against other schools from the South-East Special Schools Sports Association. Some of the sports include: Basketball, Soccer, Gymnastics, Tee Ball, Tennis and Golf.

By accessing Sporting Schools grants the school is also able to engage external coaches and purchase sport specific equipment used to enhance and enrich the program.

The Health component of the program focuses on Personal, Social and Community Health as well as Respectful Relationships. Topics include: Food and Nutrition, Relationships, Human Growth and Development, Public and Private, Hygiene, Protective Behaviours, Safety and Drug Education. These topics are taught across a 2 year cycle.

Also, as part of HPE ERS offers Swimming and Water Safety programs to students across the school. Qualified AUSTSWIM teachers offer swimming lessons to all in Foundation to Year 6. All students in Foundation to Year 10 also participate in an annual Water Safety program in Term 4.

The ERS community of students, family and carers are also invited to attend special events during the year such as Twilight Sports Night.