Personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE) is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.
According to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), students are expected to participate in PDHPE for between 1.5 and 2.5 hours per week in Kindergarten to Year 6.
PDHPE provides students with opportunities to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others – now and in the future. Students also participate in challenging and enjoyable physical activity, improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence.
Sport at Loftus Public School
Sport plays a very big part in the lives of many children and staff at Loftus Public School, whether it is learning new skills during school sport activities, representing the school in elite P.S.S.A. competitions or just having fun with friends. We offer many opportunities to be involved in sport and physical activities from Kindergarten to Year 6, beginning with being selected in a House Team when children are first enrolled at our school.
Our House Teams are Bradman (red), Goolagong (green) and Perkins (blue). Everyone can wear their House sports uniform on Fridays for school sport, as well as on our special carnival days during the year.
House Captains
Bradman: Jett and Layla (Captains), Riley and Lily (Vice Captains)
Goolagong: Zac and Sianna (Captains), Koby and Sophia (Vice Captains)
Perkins: Luke and Holly (Captains), Drew and Holly (Vice Captains)
Friday is our Sports Day
K-2 children generally have their sport time just prior to or after recess. They learn games skills, coordination, movement and teamwork. Years 3-6 and P.S.S.A. Sport is held in the morning during Summer (Terms 1 and 4) and in the afternoon during Winter (Terms 2 and 3). This year, the Year 3-6 School Sport is concentrating on developing games skills, fitness, teamwork, preparation for our carnivals and playing team sports.
P.S.S.A. (Primary Schools Sports Association) is competitive sport played against other schools within our Zone. We are in Sutherland Zone and our Region is Sydney East.
Throughout the year we compete in the following P.S.S.A. sports -
SUMMER (TERM 1) – Senior Boys Softball, Junior Kanga Cricket, Girls Touch Football (Senior and Junior)
WINTER (TERMS 2 and 3) – Netball (Junior and Senior Girls), Soccer (Junior and Senior Boys or Girls)
SUMMER (TERMS 3 and 4) – Senior Girls Softball, Junior Boys and Girls Tee Ball, Senior Cricket, Boys and Girls Basketball (Junior and Senior).
Prior to each season of P.S.S.A. sport, students attend trials to select our school teams. Being selected in a P.S.S.A. team is a privilege, not a right, and as such we expect excellent behaviour, sportsmanship and commitment from our school's representatives.
Throughout the year, some children in Years 5 and 6 will also be selected by coaches at our school to represent us in Sutherland Zone or Sydney East Trials in particular sports. Generally schools are invited to only send 2 or 3 outstanding children to any particular sports trial. Any child chosen will be given a permission note to attend the trials.
Other Sports
Every year we enter four NSW P.S.S.A. State Knockout competitions (two for boys and two for girls). This year, we have entered Boys and Girls Softball, Netball and Australian Rules Football.
Some other events that we have entered are the Sharks Rugby League Knockout, AFL Paul Kelly Cup, Sydney East Water Polo Gala Day, Sutherland Sharks Basketball Competition and the After-School Hockey competition at Sylvania Hockey Centre.
We are also well represented by the Loftus Leapers Squad in State and National Skipping competitions.