Health and Physical Education
STEVEN BAKER
Head of Health and Physical Education
2014 was a productive year in the Physical Education Department. The clear pathway for boys to follow from Year 7 to Year 12 has been further bolstered with underpinning principles of age-appropriate Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD), leadership opportunities and outstanding program development and results in Senior Physical Education and Recreation Studies. The Physical Education Department this year had an experienced staff including myself, (the Director of Cricket, Mr Steven Baker), the Director of Rugby, Mr Adrian Blundell, the Director of Athletics and Cross Country, Mr Andrew Stalling, First XV Coach Mr Mike Wallace, Assistant Director of Athletics and First XV Manager Mr Greg Norman and Director of Sport, Mr Bryan Hain. The cutting edge Sports Excellence program for Years 7-10 Physical Education lessons has further evolved. This program has offered the boys to select from a wide range of sporting options each term, working with selected specialist staff in these areas. This has allowed for high-quality teaching and learning. Furthermore, the Years 7-10 lessons have been periodised, working towards components of fitness in core strength, running technique, plyometrics (jump/power training) and flexibility. The activities conducted were age appropriate and are fundamental to long-term athletic development as well as providing health improvement and injury prevention. This was progressively developed through the year from swimming/cross-country running training through to athletics, and followed by compulsory fitness tests that was reported to parents at the completion of each semester, coupled to
diligence grades and TSS average results. The careful planning of Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 Physical Education has allowed the successful transition from Junior Health and Physical Education to Senior Board Physical Education and Recreation Studies. In 2014, Senior Board Physical Education included Cricket, Touch Football, Volleyball and Golf in a program that integrated theoretical content learnt in Sports Psychology, Training Principles, Sociology and Biomechanics. Further improvement in use of ICT and resourcing on Moodle, with improvement in academic writing, research methods and referencing, has also assisted the results of the Year 12 cohort in an outstanding effort to set a high standard for the Year 11s to emulate in 2015. Well done to all boys involved in the subject and special mention goes to Jordan Brook, who received the Year 12 PE Prize. Mr Mike Wallace, Mr Andrew Stalling and Mr Peter Bromley delivered the Senior PE Lessons exceptionally well through Years 11 and 12 as we continue to refine and evolve in seeking best practice in the subject area. This year has also seen the Board Registered Recreation Studies include practical and theoretical components of striking skills, fishing and surf skills, invasion games and strength and conditioning. Underpinning these activities was development of coaching and leadership development through giving boys ownership in running activities. Finally, congratulations to the graduating Year 12s and I would like to commend the work of all staff on a great year.
THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL SOUTHPORTONIAN 2014
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