This year saw the Health and Physical Education department having to swap a number of key programmes around due to the U21 Football World Cup.

Traditionally we would start the year with athletics. This would see students working together in small groups to develop their athletic ability, set goals and try to gain their highest possible grade using the international 5 Star Award scheme. Unfortunately the Caledonian track needed to be repaired before the Football World Cup which was planning on using the stadium for the finals. It also had the knock on effect that our students would not benefit from early practice of their events before Athletics Day.

Our Y11 senior PE students therefore found themselves taking part in a new NCEA futsal standard at school. This proved to be quite successful, as LPHS has previously excelled in this sport. Year 9 and 10 found themselves completing work normally left for term four, based on motor learning strategies and skill learning. However, our students quickly adapted to all the changes and powered through any obstacles. It was a pleasure to teach them.

As the year progressed, the students took part in a range of diverse and challenging modules ranging from Disabled Sports, to games designed to teach tactics, to teamwork. We also purchased our own Ominkin ball this year. This is a huge colourful ball that is used to develop teamwork, but enjoyment seems to be the major winner here.

Our senior courses are undergoing some radical changes to develop personalised learning. This sees the students gaining NCEA credits based on their own sport and the work they do around this sport. Over the next few years, we plan to develop this approach as much as possible across the department.

As the year comes to a close, the gym refurbishment should be finally completed. A long, long road but hopefully it will give the students an opportunity to see the subject displayed fully as they enter the gym, with information, displays and technology supporting their work.

Managing Munchkins

On Friday September 18th, the two Year 12 classes went to North East Valley Normal School to coach their students for the day. This was part of an internal assessment to demonstrate leadership skills. We were split into 12 groups of two or three LPHS students and as a group we had to use leadership skills to coach 15-20 NEVNS students. We were able to choose if we wanted to play games with them or if we just wanted to teach them skills for a certain game. We had 30 minutes with each group. Unfortunately, we had to finish early because at about lunch time it started pouring with rain. Through this coaching experience, we were able to gain more confidence in using different leadership skills to lead a group of students.