MOVE IT!

We all know about the true benefits of physical activity and how it plays a significant part in our overall health. Research states that children should be involved in physical activity for at least 60 minutes a day and it doesn’t have to be structured. It can be a run on the oval, a scooter after school, walk/run with the family pet and even a swing on the old hills hoist, anything that makes their breathing deeper and their blood pumping is of a great benefit.

At St John Vianney’s, movement and being physically active is an integral part of your child’s day. Our teachers take a strengths-based approach to teaching Physical Education and therefore the students have many opportunities to be engaged, flourish and expand their knowledge about living and being healthy. After eating during each break time, they get a huge amount of choice of how they can be active – this includes, a run on our green oval, climb on either our new play equipment, play a variety of team sports including cricket, soccer, AFL, netball, basketball, handball and touch rugby. There is a lunch club on a Tuesday where students can learn Taekwondo.  Tennis Australia is currently providing clinics for our students in addition to the structured Physical Education lessons from the Australian Curriculum. We also have an excellent Gross Motor Program that the Kinder and Year 1 are involved in each week.

The health benefits of exercise include the:

• Development of healthy bones, muscles, joints, heart and lungs.
• Developing and refining of coordination, strength and muscle control
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Increase in flexibility
• Brain will develop vital connections leading to improved concentration and thinking skills

Having 3 older children, I know too well that it is hard to move them from the couch and into physical activity mode, however, here are a few tips that are known to help.

1. Choose or encourage a fun activity
2. Add in lots of variety – kick the footy one day and shoot some hoops the next, totem tennis was a family favourite in our house and great for hand eye coordination
3. Join in if possible and build extra physical activity in the day
4. Reward your child with a visit to a “cool” new park to explore
5. Praise and encourage effort and laugh along the way.

Currently, Dr. Michalis Stylianos from the Queensland University is undergoing study into the Health benefits of Physical Activity: Cognitive Performance and School Engagement. I will share his paper and journal articles once they become available.

Feel free to send in some of the physical activities that you share as a family and we will place them on display to continue to promote a healthy lifestyle.

A big congratulations to our Year 5/6 students and teachers who have been our guiding lights this week with 3 intense days of physical activity whilst on camp. No doubt they will share with all of us the many stories about their personal determination, grit and resilience.

I look forward to meeting all of you tomorrow night at our Welcome BBQ tomorrow  from 5.00pm -7.00pm. 

Blessings

Jo Reed

Assistant Principal

Here are some of our gorgeous new Kindies enjoying our Gross Motor Program.