Sport is an integral part of the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) curriculum, which promotes fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
The aim of the PDHPE Curriculum is to enable students to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes needed to promote safe, healthy and active lives.
Teaches and encourages the development of specific motor skills such as running, kicking, throwing and catching - all essential basic concepts of movement. Learning in this area is directly concerned with supporting the development of the student as a whole person and PDHPE extends beyond planned classroom lessons and is reinforced by the Pastoral Care Program, the school’s healthy canteen, Sharing Our Story (Religious Education Program) and other ‘Health–Promoting’ activities.
Weekly sport and physical education
All students are involved in weekly sport and/or physical education lessons. In addition to this, students have the opportunity to compete across the school, Zone, Diocesan, inter-Diocesan and Stage level in swimming, athletics, cross-country, soccer, football, netball, etc. At Holy Spirit, St Clair, we aim to:
- make sure all students participate in sporting activities by ensuring all students participate in supervised sport at school
- engage parents by informing the parents of any proposed inter-school sporting activities
- allow students to represent the school in a variety of sports
- whenever possible, provide training by experienced teachers or parent volunteers for those students representing the school in any sport
- make students aware of the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet in their lives.
School sports carnivals and representation
All students at Holy Spirit enjoy opportunities to participate in fun and engaging weekly PE lessons, run by Dance Fever. In addition to this, they have the opportunity to try out for Cross Country, Swimming and Athletics Carnivals, which are held annually. Students are selected from these events to represent the school at combined school events and have the opportunity to progress and further represent at Diocesan and State levels.
Gala days provide an opportunity for students to try out for various team sports, such as Netball, NRL, Soccer, Touch Football, Gymnastics and Basketball. It is hoped that participation in gala day events will foster sportsmanship, as well as assisting in the development of skills. There is no prerequisite for trying out for any of these gala day events, with the main focus on participation and enjoyment.
For more information on representative sport, ask your child's teacher or visit the Parramatta Diocese Catholic Primary Schools Sports Council (PDCPSSC) website.
Holy Spirit House System
Within our school, there are four House Groups:
MARSDEN (Red)
Named in honour of the Reverend Samuel Marsden, a local magistrate and pastoralist. Through his work at Mamre Farm, Samuel Marsden pioneered the Australian wool industry by importing and breeding Merino sheep.
LAWSON (Green)
Named in honour of William Lawson, pastoralist and explorer, who in 1813 along with Blaxland and Wentworth, discovered a passage through the Blue Mountains from Sydney.
CHISHOLM (White)
Named in honour of Caroline Chisholm, one of Australia's greatest women pioneers. Known as the 'Emigrants' Friend', Caroline Chisholm is remembered for her humanitarian work with emigrant families, young women and rural families.
DURACK (Blue)
Named in honour of Sarah 'Fanny' Durack, who was Australia's first female Olympic gold medallist. Sarah Durack broke the world record and won the 100 yards Freestyle event at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.
The annual Athletics Carnival is an opportunity for inter-house competition, with the emphasis on the importance of participation and teamwork. Students of all athletic ability are encouraged to support their House Groups in colour, song and event participation; be it as a competitor or a supporter.
