2000 School Magazine

health ond physicol educotion

THE NEW BOARD COURSE

Webb, every student made enormous progress in, what was for most of us, a completely new experience. " "Third term proved to be one of the most challenging terms for the students as most of us have never competed in either gymnastics or competitive aerobics. While students had a completely free choice of either activity, most chose aerobics. We really had to work on our flexibility and strength so that we were able, by assessment time, to perform the required skills with confidenc and fluency. Those push-ups were a killer!" "The board course students are working towards their Bronze Cross in lifesaving during fourth term of 2000 and into the first term of next year. While a little cold early in the term, all students are working to develop into competent lifesavers and stronger swimmers. Our theory coinpone focuses on the biomechanics involved. " Building on these Year Eleven experiences, as YearTwelves they will be given the chance to experience even greater challenges in physical activity.

2000 saw the introduction of a totally new Board Course in Physical Education for Years Eleven and Twelve. The course is based on the premise that physical activity should be a fundamental part of everyday life, and involves both the study and practice of physical activity through four, specially chosen physical activities. These must cover a variety from a range of categories of physical activity from the aesthetic to direct and indirect interceptive activities and performance. The activities chosen for the Girls Grammar course are volleyball, golf, an individual student choice between artistic gymnastics and competitive aerobics, and lifesaving. These four activities are the focusing theme for each term in Year Eleven and are repeated in YearTwelve, although in reverse order. The three content areas provided by the curriculum - learning physical skills, the biological bases of training and exercise, and physical activity in Australian society - are integrated within each of the four activities studied, thus contextualising the learning and activity. Student reaction has been very positive in the two classes undertaking the new course, as the following responses reveal. "First term focused around basic skill acquisition in volleyball. The goal for the term was to develop our skills based upon the three phases of learning: cognitive, associative, and autonomous. We were all very pleased with the progress we were able to make. We were able to put our enhanced skills to good use in the"friendly" match against Brisbane Grammar students at the end of the term. Each school won one set. Although the weather was hot, everyone had a most enjoyable term. It was a great introduction to the new board course curriculum. " un "Golf was our second term activity and, for . u most of the students, it was their first o ~ experience with the game. For our lessons we cycled to Victoria Park Golf Links where the Club House professional assisted us. 41 . We started with the basic skills and etiquette, u including strokes, technique, club choice, and rules. In the theory component we focused e e on money and the media in relation to sport, N U especially golf. While no one turned into Karrie ,, U E

WOOLCOC

GIBS

ENGLAND

a

tr, \

VALE:YEAR 12 OUTDOOR EDUCATION CAMP

With the introduction of the new board course in Physical Education, 2000 was the final year of the Health and Physical Education Outdoor Education camp to Finser Island and the end of 22 years of Health and Physical Education in the senior school. No more will the Year Twelve students be faced with the challenge of planning, guiding, feeding, and organising the camp for themselves and the staff. This year twenty-seven students and five staff set off on a cold morning from Grammar. "It was probably one of the most difficult things any of us have done, physically, in our lives. There were a lot of Ks to walk. " The students found the logistics mentally challenging, as well. Despite this, all of the students believed the experience was "incredibly bonding"as they struggled through together. While the new P. ECourse has its own challenges and experiences, the '"old" outdoor ed. camp will always have a special place in the memories of those who "went, saw and conquered"!

I:C'7'

h^fig afy

=

t, ip' C8, I: o ,j, d. .^