Health and Physical Education

Yankalilla Area School (YAS) recognises the importance of providing opportunities for young children / students to be active at school, so they can achieve the recommended amount of physical activity, of at least 60 minutes to several hours in total, each day. Responsibility for the delivery of the Health and Physical Education (H&PE) Learning Area rests predominantly with individual classroom teachers. In addition to that, for 1 or 2 lessons per week, each class has a PE lesson with a Non-Instruction Time (NIT) teacher. YAS has invested significant amounts of money into purchasing a wide variety of age appropriate equipment for use in class lessons. Each class is also responsible for some PE equipment that can be used at play times.

In their PE lessons the students are involved in a wide variety of running (and other forms of locomotion) games and / or relays and also receive instruction on the development of skills required to play a wide variety of sports (including throwing, catching, striking, kicking and trapping and trapping). Time is given for the practice of these skills in minor game settings. PE also provides a vehicle for the development of understanding of the School Values, social skills and other successful habits, whilst the students are being active. These skills include the development of persistence, resilience, team work, a sense of optimism, sharing and respect, just to name a few. The Junior School travels to the Noarlunga Swimming Centre for their swimming lessons in Term 1 (5 days). An R -12 Sports Day is held annually in Term 1.

Middle School / Senior School (Year 6 -12)

The PE courses become more specific as the students progress to Senior School. The focus is on developing movement skills through active involvement in play, games, sport, dance, gymnastics, aquatics and outdoor activities in a variety of contexts. Students learn about the importance of regular activity to their physical, social, emotional and spiritual health.

They learn about fitness and develop strategies to achieve good health. The needs of the learner in the Middle Years / Senior School are complex. The bones, muscles, tendons and body parts grow at different rates and regular developmentally appropriate exercise enhances adjustment at this time. Vigorous activity helps develop strong bones and stretching activities develop and maintain flexibility. The development of specialised movement skills is highly dependent upon the opportunity for practice and encouragement. This is achieved in the Middle School / Senior School by offering a wide range of activities. For example archery, table tennis, badminton, touch football, volleyball, gymnastics, athletics to name a few. Throughout the various units students are encouraged to learn about the other skills in sport such as administration / coaching / umpiring. Hopefully students will go on to be the future leaders of the various community sporting clubs and apply these skills.

Every year a number of aquatics programs are run throughout the various year levels. Middle school students participate in a general program at Victor Harbor that offers surfing, sailing, kayaking and snorkeling. In the Senior School the programs become more specialised with some students participating in 3 days Snorkeling or Kayaking courses at Port Noarlunga.

We also offer Outdoor Education subjects throughout the Middle / Senior School and encourage students to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award where many adventure activities are available.

We give students an excellent working environment for this subject. Our sports facilities include a community gymnasium, sports field and court areas.

Students are also able to participate in many SAPSASA and SASSSI sports carnivals and Knockout Sport activities. The school also has a proud history of student representation in district sports teams.