Pleased to announce exciting funding news!
ACTIVE SCHOOLS GRANTS TO HELP GET KIDS MOVING IN SOUTH WEST VICTORIA
Schools in South West Victoria will receive a funding boost to help get kids moving as they return to school for Term 2, thanks to the Victorian Government.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced five schools in Victoria’s south west are among 96 schools across the state to receive a $30,000 funding boost under the Active Schools initiative to help introduce a whole-school approach to physical activity.
Recipients of the funding include:
- Colac Secondary College – Implement a holistic whole school approach to physical activity through PD for school staff, development of year 7 Bike Ed program, installing bike storage shed, purchase sporting/active recreation equipment (class set of canoes, bikes, lifejackets, yoga mats, boxing gloves)
- Lavers Hill K-12 College – Installation of outdoor education equipment (E.g. a gaga pit to play high energy ball games), upgrading the school walking track, memberships to Bluewater Fitness centre to access the gym, pool, sports courts
- Bundarra Primary School – Installation of new multi-use bike track used for a range of programs (walking/running club, cross country, bike education, leisure play, community access and PE and sport classes)
- Merri River School – Development of a new outdoor learning classroom and outdoor education program including swimming lessons, beach and river safety sessions, bike education and water-based recreation activities.
- Portland Bay School – Purchase of new sensory playground equipment and new PMP equipment
The cash boost is part of the $24.2 million Active Schools initiative, which is delivering more opportunities for physical activity, sport and active recreation for Victorian students, helping them develop healthy lifelong habits.
As part of the wider Active Schools package:
- all schools will have access to a new Active Schools Toolkit, which will include tips and tricks on how to make their school and their kids more active
- a new team of physical education leaders will provide on-the-ground advice and support to more than 800 schools to improve their approach to sport, physical education and physical activity
- a number of new and innovative approaches to increasing activity will be trialled through several partnerships, including working with the start-up community to explore how technology can get teens moving and adapting Deakin University’s Transform-Us! Program for secondary schools to get adolescents moving more and sitting less
- a statewide communications campaign designed to encourage children and their families to be more active and promote the importance of physical activity.
In November, Minister for Education James Merlino also released a joint ministerial statement with Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence and Minister for Health Martin Foley, which outlines a new strategy to create active schools, kids and communities.
The Labor Government is committed to meeting the Education State target of increasing the proportion of students taking part in physical activity five times a week to help them be happier, healthier and more resilient.
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“The evidence is clear – active kids are happy, healthy and resilient kids, who are able to focus more in class. That’s why we are investing $24.2 million in the creation of Active Schools.”
“Sport and recreation are central to our way of life. These grants will help make sure more young people in south west Victoria can get the best start in life with an education linked to active and healthy lifestyles.”
Back to Term 2, 2020
Article in the Portland Observer Tuesday 14th April 2020
