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Making effective links with local clubs
Schools and clubs that that link together effectively and make the most
of what students learn in both settings provide the best opportunities for
students to make progress and achieve.
Such links enable students to understand how their involvement in schoolbased physical activity and club based sport complement each other and
contribute to a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Importantly, these links help them recognise how school-based physical
activity can prepare them for involvement in clubs beyond their school years.
To make effective links, there must be reciprocal relationships in which
schools and clubs:
• communicate with one another
• promote one another
• encourage all students to take part in club activities
• have common expectations and goals for students
• have a common approach to working with students
• involve parents
• communicate well with students and parents
• build on the learning experiences that students have in both settings
• share and celebrate achievements
• share and develop facilities, equipment, resources and teaching/
coaching expertise
• understand the roles of other agencies that can contribute to and
support the link.
(Department for Education and Skills, 2004)
Linking student physical activity needs and interests beyond school
State sporting associations offer a range of opportunities to introduce
students in primary and secondary schools to sporting and recreational
activities such as Frisbee, football, lacrosse, surfing and martial arts.
School programs can provide students with meaningful, structured
experiences that complement and to those offered by local clubs and
communities. Sessions at school can cover all aspects of being involved
with local clubs, from developing skills to participating as officials, coaches
or team managers.
For more information about State sporting associations visit: dsr.wa.gov.
au/srdirectory/industrydirectory.asp.
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Twenty ways in which schools, families, communities and organisations can
work together
Three key focus areas have been identified:
• the links between the school, families, community members and organisations
• ongoing communication and consultation
• building and maintaining effective partnerships with each group.
For suggestions about ways in which schools can work together with families, communities and organisations see Table 16.
Table 16: Twenty ways in which schools, families, communities and organisations can work together
1. Involve students in promoting physical activity by asking
11. Use incentives for setting and reaching goals such as a fun
them to develop active living announcements for the school
contest or activity inspired prizes, eg physical activity runners
newsletter or local newspaper.
day with a prize for the best decorated pair of runners.
2. Form school/community committees to organise physical
12. Assign important homework ….”make sure you play”.
activity events.
13. Establish awards for students, staff and parents in
3. Get schools to promote a fun physical activity tip of the day
recognition for promoting, supporting and/or performing
over the PA system or advertise local community activities.
physical activity.
4. Organise a school photography contest. Involve students,
14. Enthusiasm is contagious. Be creative and incorporate
families and community members who are pictured being
physical activity into many areas of the classroom to show
physically active.
that health and physical activity are important to you.
5. Have students get into groups and invent a new game by
15. Spring and summer are great times to explore the
combining aspects of different activities, dances or games.
outdoors. Cycling, walking, tennis, swimming, flying a
Then have each group teach the class how the new activity is
kite and playing Frisbee are some great ideas to try. Help
done.
children identify activities that are fun and rewarding.
6. Participate in events organised by agencies such as School
16. Encourage students to get involved in promoting
Walk There Today, Cycle to School Day and be active wa day.
activity messages through art. Have students design
7. Hold regular physical activity assemblies to educate the
murals than can be displayed within the community.
whole school and parents about physical activity in your
17. Contact your local senior citizens centre to see if
school. Showcase student physical activities. Invite local
there are opportunities to be active together. Walking
sporting heroes or local police officers to talk about bike
together at lunch or after school as part of a community
safety.
service program can be a great way to learn about your
8. Support the activity choices of children. Children who learn
that physical activity is a chore risk becoming inactive adults.
9. Take an active interest in the health of staff. Hold walk and talk
meetings, plan team building activities that incorporate physical
community’s history.
18. Plan community special events and include activities to
promote physical activity. Contact local media sources for
coverage.
activity and implement a staff wellness program. Be active yourself
19. Many cultures have a strong tradition of being active.
and a good role model!
Incorporate physical activities and games that celebrate cultural
10. Contact your local Department of Sport and Recreation
office. They offer recreation programs for all ages and operate
uniqueness into school events and sports days, eg community
dancers and indigenous games.
facilities in your local area. They will also have information on in
20. Make connections with parents’ workplaces. See if any
term and holiday programs and events in your area operated by
groups would be interested in partnering for a variety of
community organisations.
activities, eg supporting schools teams, purchasing outdoor play
equipment, and indoor and outdoor physical activity equipment.
(Healthy Active Schools 2005)
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Communication and consultation
The letter shown in Figure 16 can be adapted to meet your school’s needs and sent to parents.
Figure 16: Draft letter to parents
Dear Parents
Great news! Our school is making a commitment to increase children’s
participation in physical activity and I would like to invite you to share in
this initiative.
Together with the school staff, we are developing a whole school approach
to promote and encourage daily physical activity.
Each week during school time your child will participate in two hours of
physical activity which will consist of a number of game related and skill
development activities that meet the needs of all students.
The habits your child learns now will stay with them throughout their lives.
By helping your child make healthy choices you are helping them to build a
healthy future.
We recognise that home and school are integral in the creation of healthy
and supportive environments and you are encouraged to get involved by:
• encouraging daily physical activity at home;
• planning regular family activities that involve being active; and
• encouraging your child to make healthy food choices at home and at
school.
Together we can make a difference!
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Building and maintaining effective partnerships
Opportunities exist for schools to link with government and community agencies to enhance the physical activity
opportunities and pathways for all students within and outside of curriculum time.
The following agencies provide quality physical activity opportunities for all students.
Schools themselves are responsible for making their own assessments of the materials, programs, events,
products or services offered, in accordance with relevant Departmental policies.
heartfoundation.com.au
National Heart Foundation of Australia (WA Division)
The Heart Foundation is an independent Australia-wide, non-profit health organisation, funded almost entirely by
donations from Australians.
The Heart Foundation’s purpose is to improve the heart health of Australians and to reduce disability and death
from heart, stroke and blood vessel disease by:
• promoting and conducting research to gain and apply knowledge about heart, stroke and blood vessel disease,
its prevention and treatment
• promoting and influencing behaviour which improves heart and blood vessel health by conducting education and
other programs directed at health professionals, those with heart disease, and the Australian community at large
• offering a range of school programs in Western Australia targeting key behavioural risk factors linked to heart
disease such as poor diet, physical inactivity and smoking.
Programs, resources or expertise the Heart Foundation can offer schools include:
Smarter than Smoking
• Youth smoking prevention resources and information are available for teachers, school nurses, parents and
students; include application forms for a Smart School Grant of up to $3,000.
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• Critics’ Choice - a free resource that is available each year. The program includes a DVD featuring 12 antismoking advertisements from all over the world and a booklet for teachers.
• OxyGen.org.au provides interactive activities for use in the classroom. The site also features ‘latest news’
items such as National Youth Tobacco Free Day (held in March/April every year).
For more information, contact Smarter than Smoking Project on telephone 9382 5907 or 9388 3343, visit:
OxyGen.org.au or e-mail [email protected].
Nutrition program
• The Heart Foundation School Canteen Conference and WASCA ‘Healthy Choice’ Food Expo is held every year
in Perth. The event offers a professional development day for school canteen staff, volunteer parents, P&C
members and health professionals.
• Nibbles newsletter: distributed to WA school canteens each term.
• Publications on nutrition topics, such as healthy eating and school lunchbox ideas, are available from Heartline
on 1300 362 787.
For more information, contact Sonia White, Dietitian on telephone 9382 5913 or 9388 3343 or
e-mail [email protected].
School Walk There Today
This event is held on the Wednesday of Walk Week (first week in November) every year. School that register
receive free merchandise and a kit that contains whole-of-school activity ideas and lesson ideas.
For more information, contact Clover Maitland, Manager Physical Activity, PO Box 1133, Subiaco 6904 or telephone
9382 5953 or 9388 3343), e-mail [email protected] or visit dpi.wa.gov.au/walking/1546.asp
Make tracks2school challenge
This four-week challenge will occur annually from 2007. Register your school to receive free incentives for students
and an information kit including classroom lesson ideas and activities, sample newsletter articles and more.
For more information, contact Clover Maitland, Manager Physical Activity, PO Box 1133, Subiaco 6904, telephone
9382 5953 or 9388 3343 or e-mail [email protected].
AusPAnet
AusPAnet is intended to build knowledge and capacity in the physical activity workforce. The key elements of this network
include a fortnightly e-news linked to a dedicated Website which will include an ‘ask the expert’ function from 2007.
For more information, contact Bree Hawkes, National Project Officer on telephone 9382 5930 or 9388 3343), visit
auspanet.heartfoundation.com.au or e-mail [email protected].
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
contact person:
Clover Maitland
address:
PO Box 1133, Subiaco 6904
telephone:
9388 3343
e-mail:
[email protected]
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heartfoundation.com.au
Heart Foundation – Jump Rope for Heart (JRFH)
The Heart Foundation’s longest-running children’s program, JRFH is designed to increase levels of physical
activity, increase heart health awareness and raise lifesaving funds for the Foundation.
Schools that register are eligible to receive a comprehensive resource kit, launch and workshop services from
JRFH staff and have the option of claiming a 10 per cent rebate on the total funds raised to reinvest into the
school community. Students can also receive ‘thank you’ prizes for achieving particular levels of fundraising.
JRFH offers schools all the resources necessary to conduct the program including ropes, music CD, a teachers
manual, instruction posters and stickers.
JRFH also runs the Jump for It Challenge, a health promotion initiative designed to provide activities for teachers
to run in Health and Physical Education or other learning areas, focusing on nutrition, smoking and physical
activity. Modules have been created for lower, middle and upper primary students.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
contact person:
Cath Kelsall
address:
334 Rokeby Rd, Subiaco WA 6008
telephone:
9388 3343
e-mail:
[email protected]
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dpi.wa.gov.au
Department for Planning and Infrastructure
The Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) was previously the Department of Transport (2001). The aims of the
DPI are to enrich the quality of life for all Western Australians by connecting and delivering economic and social networks.
Walking School Bus
A Walking School Bus works like a motorised bus, picking up ‘passengers’ along the way at designated ‘bus
stops’. In Western Australia, the Walking School Bus (WSB) is coordinated through the Department for Planning
and Infrastructure’s TravelSmart Program.
The Walking School Bus supervises children walking to school along a safe and enjoyable set route. Each WSB
is accompanied by a minimum of two parent volunteers. One parent ‘drives’ at the front of the bus, while the
other parent supervises at the rear. The process is reversed in the afternoon, led by the same or different parent
volunteers. Additional parents may be needed depending on the walking environment and number of children.
The Walking School Bus is flexible to suit the needs of families using it. The ‘bus’ can go as often as parents want
to ‘drive’ it and children want to use it. This means that it can even operate as little as one morning or afternoon
each week. Many communities who walk children to their primary school start on a one-day per week basis and
increase the frequency of the schedule over time. The WSB is a free service and every child is welcome to join
the bus even if their parents cannot be volunteer drivers.
There are 23 communities participating in the WSB program and DPI continues to promote WSB in the hope that
more parent volunteers and children will become involved.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
contact person:
Jennifer Kahl
address:
441 Murray Street, Perth WA 6000
telephone:
08 9216 8482
e-mail:
[email protected]
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dpi.wa.gov.au
Department for Planning and Infrastructure
National Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD)
Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is a annual national event organised by the Pedestrian Council of Australia
(walk.com.au/pedestriancouncil/page.asp) to promote road safety, health, public transport and the environment.
All primary school children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school and WSTSD provides an
opportunity for parents and carers to promote safe pedestrian behaviour.
WSTSD informs parents, carers, teachers and children of the significant physical, mental and social health benefits that can
be achieved through regular walking. It also reminds parents and carers that they need to supervise their young children,
particularly those under 10 years of age, closely in all road environments, holding their hands when near or crossing roads.
The event is sponsored by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, the Motor Accidents Authority
NSW, Roads and Traffic Authority NSW, Environment Protection Authority NSW and Ministry of Transport NSW. It
is supported by all Australian governments, Heart Foundation, Cancer Council, Diabetes Australia and Beyond Blue.
The Department for Planning and Infrastructure supports WSTSD by promoting it in Western Australia.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit: walk.com.au/pedestriancouncil/page.asp or telephone the Pedestrian
Council of Australia: (02) 9968 4555 or e-mail [email protected].
contact person:
Cath Sutherland, Director, Big Fish Solutions
(PR contact)
telephone:
0403 000 202
e-mail:
cath@bigfishsolutions.net
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dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling/1531.asp
Pedestrian Council of Australia
Cycle to School Day, part of the annual Cycle Instead Bikeweek program:
Students at primary and secondary schools across Western Australia are encouraged to take part in the Cycle to
School Day organised by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure.
In 2005, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that 22 per cent of Australian children were overweight or
obese. The incidence is growing at the rate of about one per cent per year. According to the Department of Health and
Ageing, children and young people should participate in a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate and vigorous physical activity
every day. Riding a bike is a fun activity and a popular and convenient way for people of various ages and abilities to be active.
Registered schools receive a promotional event kit, which includes a limited supply of cycling merchandise (puncture repair
kits, bike bells, etc), as well as Cycle Instead stickers, temporary tattoos and participation certificates to distribute to students.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
visit the Department for Planning and Infrastructure’s website at:
dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling/1531.asp
contact person:
Jana Zivadinovic
address:
441 Murray Street, Perth WA 6000
telephone:
9216 8556
e-mail:
[email protected]
healthyactive.gov.au
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (DHA), Food and Healthy Living Branch
What programs, resources or expertise the Department of Health and Ageing can offer schools?
DHA offers a range of free publications and resources on physical activity and nutrition, details of which can be
found at: health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/Nutrition+and+Physical+Activity-1.
To order, telephone 1800 020 103 and ask for the PHD Publications request line.
DHA also has practical information and updates, news for families, parents, teenagers, children and their carers
and older Australians on healthy eating, regular physical activity, overweight and obesity, particularly for children
and adolescents and active living.
For more information, write to MDP 40, Department of Health and Ageing, GPO Box 9848, Canberra, ACT, 2601,
telephone: 1800 805 172 or e-mail [email protected]
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
address:
MDP 40, Department of Health and
Ageing, GPO Box 9848, Canberra, ACT, 2601
telephone:
1800 805 172
e-mail:
[email protected]
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dsr.wa.gov.au
Department of Sport and Recreation
The Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) is a government body with the primary aims of:
• getting more Western Australians active
• supporting achievement
• creating great places to be active
• building the capacity of service providers.
What programs, resources or expertise can DSR offer schools?
Schools Network
The Schools Network is available to primary and secondary schools throughout the nation. It offers a support base
to schools committed to increasing young people’s physical activity levels. The cost is $100 for two years.
Support is provided through:
• free professional development (junior sport development days)
• continuous updates of sport and health research and information
• quarterly mailout containing current sports information, upcoming events and physical activity resources
• ongoing support from Schools Network coordinators based at DSR
• facilitation of strengthening school-community links.
Fun Warm Up Games
This is a useful resource for teachers covering agility, flexibility, speed, strength and endurance and skill games.
It includes easy to follow instructions with equipment requirements, formations and how to play illustrations for
each game and is available for $5.00 from DSR.
Resource Centre
The library at DSR is open to the public and deals with sport, fitness and health-related enquiries (information,
resources and referrals).
It is recommended that the centre is contacted first to ensure that staff are able to assist.
Sportsfun
A flexible youth leadership program is offered free to all schools in WA. Sportsfun educates and trains student
leaders to coach and officiate in modified sports sessions for younger participants. The program can be adapted
to fit regular classroom activities, physical education classes and out-of-school sport programs.
All resources and assistance associated with the program are provided by DSR.
Sportsfun Across Generations
This is a weekly physical activity program that enables seniors to mentor young people in physical education
classes. The purpose of the program is to keep both generations physically active, while the mentors encourage
and support the students in their skill development, targeting those who do not participate in sport regularly.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
contact person:
Tanya Mills
address:
Sport & Recreation, PO Box 329 LEEDERVILLE WA 6903
telephone:
9492 9729
e-mail:
[email protected]
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dsr.wa.gov.au
Department of Sport and Recreation
The Department of Sport and Recreation is the lead agency responsible for the implementation of government
policy and initiatives in sport and recreation. A key role of the department is to contribute to the healthy lifestyle
of Western Australians by increasing physical activity in the community through sport and recreation.
What programs, resources and expertise can DSR offers schools?
• Level 1 General principles coaching Ccurses – these provide skills for teachers that have to coach teams and
are looking for some strategies to assist them.
• Welcome to officiating seminar – a seminar designed for grass roots beginner officials and covers areas such as the
philosophy of officiating, interpersonal skills and self management skills. It can be used to assist in the delivery of
fundamental and innovative officiating modules/units within the Health and Physical Education Learning Area. (A copy
of the articipant manual and presenter guide has recently been distributed to all Western Australian secondary schools.)
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
contact person:
Liane Tooth
address:
PO Box 329, Leederville
telephone:
9492 9724
e-mail:
[email protected]
1seven.com.au
1Seven
Australia’s leading sports – Australian Football League, Cricket Australia and Netball Australia – have joined with Medibank
Private, to create Medibank Private 1Seven, a program to improve the health and wellbeing of Australia’s children.
Medibank Private 1Seven is based on an Australian government recommendation that children should participate in at
least one hour of physical activity and eat seven serves of fruit and vegetables (two fruit and five vegetables) every day.
The message is simple: Move More, Eat Well.
What programs, resources or expertise can 1Seven offer schools?
• an interactive Website with content for students, teachers and parents
• CD and printed material
• program guides and curriculum- based activities involving practical and theoretical lesson plans
• access to articles based on health-related issues
• school visits by program ambassadors and athletes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
visit:
1seven.com.au
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ausport.gov.au/aasc
Active After-school Communities Program
Active After-school Communities (AASC) is a national program that is part of the Australian government’s $116m Building a
Healthy Active Australia package. It provides primary school aged children with access to free, structured physical activity
programs in the after school timeslot of 3.00pm to 5.30pm. The program is designed to engage traditionally non active
children in structured physical activities and to build pathways with local community organisations, including sporting clubs.
Deliverers of the activities must be registered with the Australian Sports Commission to be able to deliver programs
in schools. Anyone may apply for registration, including school teachers, development officers from national or State
sporting organisations, local club personnel, local government staff, parents, private providers and tertiary students.
Registration requires deliverers to have the appropriate criminal history background checks, insurance coverage
and training. The quality of deliverers is also monitored by AASC Regional Coordinators.
What programs, resources or expertise can the AASC offer schools?
The AASC program:
• can be delivered in the after-school timeslot of 3.00pm – 5.30pm.
• can offer either two or three sessions per week for an eight-week block.
• will require between 15 and 50 participants per session (with the option of choosing to target groups of
children for each session).
Those schools selected to participate in the AASC program are eligible to complete a grant application form
documenting their proposed physical activity programs and the anticipated costs. Costs may include delivery
fees, supervision costs, equipment, transport and/or facility hire.
Each school will have a dedicated regional coordinator to assist it to complete the grant application form and to
link with potential program deliverers and community resources.
School staff interested in the program can attend the AASC Community Coach Training Program free of charge.
How can schools become involved?
Schools can complete an expression of interest to participate in the program.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
contact person:
Jo Davies AASC WA State Manager
telephone:
9492 9761
e-mail:
[email protected]
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waschoolcanteens.org.au
WA School Canteen Association Inc.
WASCA is an incorporated non profit organisation formed in 1994 whose core business is assisting schools of all
education systems to operate healthy, financial viable school canteens.
WASCA receives no sustained funding from government.
What programs, resources or expertise can WASCA offer schools?
• Star Canteen Accreditation Program (StarCAP) – a voluntary accreditation program.
• Star Choice Food Registration Program – similar to the Heart Foundation Pick the Tick Program. Products are
registered for sale in school canteens to strict nationally developed nutrient criteria. A buyers guide is sent to
all schools with canteens.
• In conjunction with the Heart Foundation, an annual Canteen Conference and Food Expo is conducted. Only
products meeting Star Choice criteria may be displayed or promoted.
• Training available includes various short courses for canteen staff/volunteers. Currently piloting a new course of
training for canteen staff with TAFEWA.
• Resources available include Canteen Cuisine cookbook and Healthy Eating at School booklet developed in
conjunction with HBF; Management $ense Food Sense manual (FOCiS)
• WASCA also provides information and advice on a wide range of canteen management matters, e.g. menu
pricing, working with volunteers, developing canteen policy, marketing healthy food choices.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
contact person:
Robin Bromley
address:
WASCA, PO Box 25, Hillarys WA 6923
telephone:
9264 4999
e-mail:
[email protected]
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schoolsportwa.com.au
School Sport WA
School Sport WA is an association of school teachers whose principle purpose is to promote, organise and
coordinate sporting competitions for school students at a local, regional, interstate and international level.
School Sport WA caters for all students and encourages maximum participation in a range of quality sporting programs. The
extent and intensity of the competition is varied and based on the experience, skill level, maturity and interest of the student.
In conducting its affairs, School Sport WA works in close cooperation with the Department of Education and
Training, other education sectors, State sporting associations, local government, key organisations in other
States, schools and otheragencies.
School Sport WA employs four full time officers: a director of sport, executive officer, administration officer and finance officer.
Teachers in schools volunteer their time to ensure the success of the various competitions.
What programs, resources or expertise can School Sport WA offer schools?
• basketball
• golf
• netball
• swimming
• cricket
• handball
• orienteering
• table tennis
• cross country
• hockey
• rugby league tag
• touch
• football
• lacrosse
• soccer
• triathlon
• volleyball
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
contact person:
Peter Smith
address:
School Sport WA, PO Box 8224
Perth Business Centre WA 6849
telephone:
9264 4879
e-mail:
[email protected]
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wafootball.com.au
WA Football Commission AFL School Ambassador Program
The School Ambassador program was launched in 2004 to create a proactive, sustainable and mutually beneficial
partnership between the Department of Education and Training and the WA Football Commission. The program
enabled Australian Rules Football to become a medium by which all girls and boys were engaged in safe and wellorganised physical activity focusing on health, wellbeing, nutrition, teamwork, enjoyment, social development,
confidence, self-esteem and academic achievement.
What programs, resources or expertise can the AFL School Ambassador Program offer schools?
• curriculum materials, including practical activities and cross-curriculum activities involving a school football theme
• professional development – fully-funded relief for one-day induction
• ongoing assistance from WAFC personnel, e.g. Development Officers
• WAFL clubs to conduct Educators’ Days
• equipment for physical education and sport activities
• regular communication through monthly newsletters
• junior and senior community personnel to assist teachers
• a professional uniform
• induction certification
• attractive rewards including AFL game and function invitations.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
contact person:
Colin West
WAFC General Manager: Development and Schools
telephone:
9381 5599
website:
wafootball.com.au – click on the AFL School
Ambassador icon.
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Complementary Programs
The following pages provide information about physical activity curriculum support materials, physical activity
programs, events and websites that may be of interest to schools.
The information is provided solely on the basis that schools will be responsible for making their own assessment
of the materials, programs, events, products or services offered in accordance with relevant Departmental policies.
Premier’s Physical Activity Taskforce
beactive.wa.gov.au
The Premier’s Physical Activity Taskforce has brought together the expertise of the Departments of Education and
Training, Health, Planning and Infrastructure, Sport and Recreation; the Office of Children and Youth; the Western
Australian Local Government Association; Lotterywest; Healthway; leading academics; and the wider community
to address the important issue of declining levels of physical activity.
Collectively they are responsible for overseeing the development and delivery of a whole-of-community, whole-ofgovernment physical activity strategy for Western Australia.
The Taskforce and associated agencies align under the be active wa message and work collaboratively in various
ways, including:
• supporting programs and services in schools, workplaces and the community to promote physical activity
• planning transport and residential environments to make physical activity easier more fun and safer
• reviewing legislative barriers to physical activity
• supporting local government authorities and other groups in increasing levels of physical activity.
For more information, visit: beactive.wa.gov.au or telephone: 9382 5980.
holidaycalendar.dsr.wa.gov.au/index.php.
Active kids holiday calendar
The Department of Sport and Recreation has developed an exciting online school holiday sport and recreation
calendar for all young people in WA. The calendar includes many events that will get kids active and healthy.
There are listings of activities, events, clinics, camps and much more from a huge range of sport and recreation
options, all available to view at no cost. Students simply select their area or activity choice and information
regarding what the activity involves, cost, location, dates and times will be displayed.
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Some of the benefits from students getting involved in these activities may include:
• having fun on holidays
• meeting new people and making new friends
• increasing skills in sport and recreation activities
• getting active and healthy
• linking to new sports clubs and centres.
For more information, visit: holidaycalendar.dsr.wa.gov.au/index.php.
Pedometers
www.det.wa.edu.au/education/physicalactivity
What are they and what do they do?
A pedometer is a motion sensor that detects up and down movement. Each strike of the foot registers while the
wearer is walking or running, converting this to a distance. Some models also calculate the calories burnt.
Pedometers can be used for a number of purposes, including:
• self awareness of an individual’s physical activity levels
• as cross-curriculum tools to help attain specific outcomes in various learning areas
• as means of encouraging parent, teacher and child involvement in a healthy lifestyle
• as practical tools to display real-life physical activity applications.
What are the benefits?
Physical activity has shown to have a real health benefit for both children and adults. Regular walking is a simple
activity that can be done at all ages. Like all forms of physical activity it helps you to:
• feel good about yourself and be more energetic
• relax and boost your confidence and mood
• feel a sense of achievement and satisfaction
• reduce car and traffic use and/or congestion
• manage your weight.
While many of us recognise that we should be active, some are not sure how active we should be or how active we are.
Others may require physical activity targets or recommendations to motivate and reassure them when
determining how much they should be doing.
A pedometer offers one way of helping these individuals and benefits them by providing:
• immediate feedback of the number of steps taken over the course of a day
• enhanced self-confidence/motivation for maintaining and increasing physical activity
• an accurate self-monitoring tool that assists in goal setting and recognition of progress in activity levels.
How are pedometers used?
The pedometer is attached to your belt or waistband midline of your dominant leg and records the total number
of steps taken throughout the day. It does not register upper body activity, such as weight training, or non-weight
bearing activities such as cycling or swimming. It is not waterproof.
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Purchasing pedometers
Pedometers can be purchased from Physical Activities Taskforce for school-based educational purposes and
projects. Pedometers are ordered periodically and may not always be available.
Access to pedometers
Class sets of pedometers are available for use over limited periods from:
• Premiers Physical Activity Taskforce, Level 2, Health Yourself Building, 334 Rokeby Road, Subiaco WA 6008
(Telephone: 9382 5980)
• Project Manager Physical Activity, Syllabus Development and Resources, Department of Education and
Training, 151 Royal Street, East Perth WA 6004 (Telephone: 9264 41111 or Fax: 9264 4484)
In all cases, a booking process and responsibility for the safe use and return of the equipment are required.
Sports Ability
(Reproduced with permission from the Australian Sports Commission)
Sports Ability is an exciting program from the Australian Sports Commission, designed to encourage people with
disabilities to get involved and participate in sport and physical activity across Australia.
It is an inclusive activities program with two main aims:
• to provide those working in a physical activity and sport setting with more ways of including people with disabilities
• to provide a means for people with and without disabilities to interact in a sporting environment.
Sports Ability adopts a social/environmental approach to inclusion. This approach concentrates on the ways
in which teachers, coaches and sports leaders can adjust, adapt and modify the ways in which activities are
delivered so all students can participate.
There may be some differences concerning rules, equipment and technique. However, teachers, coaches and
sports leaders working in a physical activity and sport setting can treat young people with a disability in a similar
way to any of their other athletes or students. The different stages of learning and the basic techniques of skill
teaching apply equally for young people with disabilities. Teachers, coaches or sports leaders can ensure their
approach is inclusive by applying the TREE principle.
TREE stands for:
Teaching/coaching style
Rules
Equipment
Environment
There are three elements of Sports Ability:
• equipment for five inclusive activities, three of which are current Paralympic sports
• resource material, consisting of easy-to-use activity cards and an instructional video/DVD
• training, which is available in each State and Territory via departments of education or through the Australian
Sports Commission’s Disability Education Program.
Sports Ability equipment bags may be purchased from the Australian Sports Commission and contain sports
equipment for the five inclusive activities, activity cards, instructional video and a boardmaker CD. Contact
Richard Nicholson on telephone: 02 6214 1521; e-mail [email protected]
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For further information about training in either Sports Ability or the other Disability Education Program modules
throughout WA, contact Aaron Morse, Recreation and Sport Network on telephone: 9452 1152; e-mail
[email protected]
Examples of the games from the Sports Ability program can be found in Section 5.
Physical Activity and Nutrition
www.det.wa.edu.au/education/physicalactivity
Over eight weeks, students participate in a virtual challenge of walking the Bibbulmun Track or Pipeline or Canning
Stock Route. For every 15 minutes of class activity they move one hut or well on the map. Along the way the
class must participate in five healthy lifestyle lessons. Homework activities are also set to involve the parents and
families of the children.
The programs all have teacher workbooks based on Curriculum Framework, making them easier to implement. The Challenge
goes for nine weeks in Term 2, with Sports Voucher prizes being awarded to the most ‘travelled’ and creative teams.
Clubs in Schools
mandurah.wa.gov.au/community/recreation/activity
The Department of Sport and Recreation and Lotterywest have provided funding to the City of Mandurah though
a Special Initiatives Grant that is being used to run a Clubs in Schools program that involves the creation of a
resource for local primary school teachers that lists Sport Development Officers and allows them to book the
officers to visit schools and conduct sessions. For more information, call the City’s Recreation Services on
telephone: 9550 3621.
Alternatively, contact your local government authority to find out about programs or grants that may be available in your area.
In Term Swimming
det.wa.edu.au/education/swimming/Interm/index.htm
The Department of Education and Training meets the cost of instruction at in term classes for all public primary students
and private primary students in rural and remote areas. Parents are generally required to pay a fee that covers the cost
of transport and entry to the swimming centre. The program is also available to metropolitan private primary schools on
a user pays basis. The program is well supported by schools. In recent years, approximately 80 per cent of eligible public
primary schools have participated in the program. Classes operate at about 100 country and 55 metropolitan locations,
with 150,000 students enrolling in the program, more than 15 per cent of them from private schools.
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Leaping Lizards
http://pdgp.com.au/health-programs
The Pilbara Division of General Practice knew it had to do something about the increasing number of children in
the region who were overweight. So instead of waiting to deal with the wide range of health problems that are
associated with an overweight population, the Division decided to take the bull by the horns and promote physical
activity and healthy eating in children. So began the Leaping Lizards initiative. Sponsored by the Telstra Foundation,
Leaping Lizards is a community orientated program delivered through primary schools in Karratha and Dampier.
Leaping Lizards initiatives to date include the purchase of the new physical activity equipment; the establishment
of daily fitness programs; ‘fun stations’ at school sports carnivals; community sporting clubs; parent nutrition
workshops and canteen menu modifications; and role-model guest speakers, such as visiting Olympic athletes
and AFL players, who demonstrate the message that ‘physical activity is fun’. The teachers and canteen staff are
enthusiastic because they receive professional development from visiting experts that would otherwise not be
offered. The schools have requested ongoing support to overcome the barriers faced in the Pilbara that limit them
in their level of activity undertaken in the warmer months.
Leaping Lizards has been an outstanding success from the time it was launched in 2004.
Australian Sports Commission - Indigenous Sport Program
http://www.ausport.gov.au/isp/index.asp
Australia’s geography, weather and the nature of the societies that exist here have ensured an important place for sport.
Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies have a rich diversity of games and pastimes. However,
very little is left of Indigenous traditional games – even in isolated areas where some degree of traditional lifestyle
may still exist. These games and sports are worth preserving and efforts need to be made to encourage people to
play and understand them.
Traditional games provide the opportunity to learn about, appreciate and experience aspects of Aboriginal culture.
They also provide essential training in social interaction.
It is possible to include traditional games in classroom lessons, outdoor education and adventure activities,
physical education classes and sport education activities.
Reproduced with the permission of the Australian Sports Commission
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Examples include:
• Kai
In this game from the Torres Strait a number of players stood in a circle and sang the kai wed (ball song) as they
hit a ball up in the air with the palm of their hands. The game was played using the thick, oval, deep red fruit of
the kai tree which is quite light when dry.
• Parndo
This ball game was played by South Australian Aboriginal people in the vicinity of Adelaide (Kaurna language). The
parndo (ball) was made with a piece of opossum skin, flattish in shape and about the size of a tennis ball. This is a
kicking and hand passing game.
• Gorri
Bowl-ball or disc games were played by Aboriginal boys and men in all parts of Australia. For example, in the
disc-rolling game common throughout Western Australia a piece of rounded bark (disc) was rolled by one of
the players for the other boys to aim at. The boy who set the disc rolling was about 15 metres away from the
throwers and would call out gool-gool (going-going) as they started the disc rolling. The boy or young man who
succeeded in piercing the disc took the place of the roller. Accuracy of eye and speed in casting the spear were
easily learned from the disc game.
• Yiri
A spear game recorded being played by the boys at Ulladulla in New South Wales. Small spears were thrown at
pieces of wood which were placed into running water. On Dunk Island in Queensland the boys used wood chips
and pieces of bark floating on the water or threw objects at small fish.
• Koolche
This ball throwing and hitting game was played by Aboriginal people in the Lake Eyre district of South Australia.
The balls used were as round as possible and were usually about 8–10 centimetres in diameter. Gypsum,
sandstone, mud, or almost any material that was easy to work was used to make the balls. To play the game,
players were in two teams and lined up on each side of a dry claypan. Each team then rolled the balls along the
ground to the other side with the aim being to break up an opponent’s ball by hitting it while it was moving. When
balls cannoned out of play to the sides they were left until the stock of balls was nearly used up. These were
often retrieved by the small boys and put into play again. The game was played for hours and usually until the balls
left were too few to cause any excitement. The balls were called koolchees.
• Kolap
This object throwing game was observed being played on Mer Island in the Torres Strait late last century. The
game is named after the beans of the Kolap tree which were used as throwing objects.
• Buroinjin
This is a ball game played by the Kabi Kabi people of southern Queensland. The game was played with a ball
made of kangaroo skin which was called a buroinjin. Spectators used to mark their applause by calling out ‘Ei, ei’.
• Woggabaliri
Children from the Bogan and Lachlan rivers area of New South Wales played a kind of football with a ball made
of possum fur. The fur was spun by the women and made into a ball about 5 centimetres in diameter. It required
great agility and suppleness of limbs to play this game with any degree skill.
• Keentan
A keep-away game of catch ball from the north-west central districts of Queensland played by both genders.
Reproduced with the permission of the Australian Sports Commission
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Because the action of the players jumping up to catch the ball resembled the movements of a kangaroo the
Kalkadoon people sometimes described this game as the ‘kangaroo-play’. The ball itself was made of a piece of
possum, wallaby or kangaroo hide tied up with twine.
• Wulijini
This hand hitting or handball game was played with a zamia (Cycas media) seed by the people of Bathurst Island
in northern Australia. In the Meda district of north-western Australia players used flat pieces of wood.
• Kokan
Various versions of hockey type games were played in many areas of the Torres Strait and Papua and New
Guinea. A hockey game called kokan was played in Mabuiag. The kokan (ball) was between 6 and 8 centimetres
in diameter. The game was played on a long stretch of the sandy beach. The kokan was struck with a rough bat or
club, baiwain or dabi, which was usually cut from a piece of bamboo, between 60 and 85 centimetres in length,
on which a grip was cut. On Mabuiag Island the game was played by both genders.
• Taktyerrain
In most parts of Australia the young boys (and sometimes girls) played mock combat games for enjoyment and as
a practice for adult life. Toy spears or shafts were made from grasses, reeds and rushes. The spears were held at
their lighter ends and thrown either with the hand or with a toy woomera (throwing stick).
• Kee’an
In areas of North Queensland a game of throwing skill was played. A large sized animal bone (with twine attached
to it) was thrown over a net (used to catch emus) and into a pit or hole. Considering the distance to the hole,
great skill was required to correctly aim the bone and ensure that it did not touch the net.
• Tarnambai
On Bathurst Island the children collected the seed heads of the spring rolling grass (Spinifex hirsutis) growing
on the sandhills near the coast. They took the seed heads to the beach and tossed them into the air where they
were blown along by the wind. After a start, the children chased the seed heads and tried to pick them up while
running at full speed.
In many Aboriginal settlements in remote parts of Australia the children commonly played games with ‘rollers’.
These could be toy trucks made from wheel rims or large tins filled with damp mud. The rollers are pushed or
pulled with handles made of wire. Sometimes groups of children with rollers have races.
• Munhanganing
The game of Munhanganing was reported being played by children of the Arnhem Land in northern Australia.
Children played this and other running games in the flickering lights from the firebrands of the grown-ups sitting
about a camp site.
• Kalq
This was a spear game played by some Aboriginal groups on Cape York Peninsula in North Queensland. The men
used a throwing stick (woomera) to project a big killing spear (kalq) toward the next player. The spear would travel
around the circle of men who were armed only with their woomera— which they used to deflect the spear to the
next player. When the small boys played they used spears with a blunted end.
• Weme
The Walbiri people of Central Australia played a stone bowling game. One player threw a stone which was the
used as a target by the second player. Players alternated turns with each aiming at the other’s stone.
Reproduced with the permission of the Australian Sports Commission
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