All students at St Therese’s participate in our comprehensive, Australian Curriculum based, Health and Physical Education Program. This consists of Physical Education lessons, Health lessons and our bi-weekly, Prep-Year 6 intra-school Afternoon Sport Program. In addition to this program, we encourage student sporting success by hosting, promoting and providing regular training for various school, interschool and representative sporting events.
School-Based Events and Programs
Cross Country: Junior and Senior Cross Country take place in term 1 each year at St Therese’s. A school team is selected from the senior event and is trained every morning before school in Term 2 in preparation for the Trinity Coast South (TCS) District Cross Country. In addition to this, St Therese’s also trains for the FNQ Cross Country Championships an invitational event open to all independent schools in the Far North Queensland Region. In 2021, St Therese’s came in 2nd and 1st respectively at the above events.
Athletics: St Therese’s host its annual Junior and Senior Athletics Carnivals in Term 2. A school team is once again selected from the Senior Carnival with the top students representing St Therese’s at the TCS District Athletics Carnival. In preparation for these carnivals, all students from Prep-Year 6 take part in an annual athletics program conducted during PE for the whole of Term 2. Students further their knowledge in athletics through our bi-weekly Afternoon Sports Program. This ensures that students progressively develop their athletics skills each year at St Therese’s.
Afternoon Sport- Afternoon Sport is a newly introduced whole-school physical education program designed to strengthen student sporting knowledge, fitness and skill development. As part of this program, years 3-6 spend an afternoon session every two weeks competing against other classes in the sport covered in PE that term. During these sessions, students also participate in skills, drills and fitness components. This provides our students with the opportunity to become physically fit, highly skilled and tactical athletes. Prep-Year 2 also take part in bi-weekly afternoon sport sessions but this is kept at a class level with a focus on developing physical skills, social skills and fitness through game based learning.
Swimming- In term 3 Prep, Year 1, Year 3 and Year 5 students take part in the Water Safety and Swimming Education Program (WSSEP). All students are expected to participate. If, due to sickness, a child cannot attend swimming classes, teachers must be notified by the parents. Students will be transported to and from the Woree Aquatic Centre by bus. The cost of the lessons and transport is included in each child’s General Purpose Levy. All items of clothing, towels and carry bags must be clearly marked with the child’s name. Students suffering from infections, suppurating sores or suspected contagious illnesses will be excluded from all swimming activities. A note is required if they are not participating. If a student suffers from a medical condition which might put that swimmer at risk in the water, e.g. epilepsy, diabetes, heart condition, written parental consent, supported by a medical certificate, must be obtained for the student to participate in the swimming program. The responsibility here rests with the parents.
Representative School Sport
St Therese’s plays an active role in district level representative sports. First and foremost students are informed of and encouraged to participate in TCS district trials as they come available. In addition to this, we trial select and train our top students to represent our school at the following TCS district events: Rugby League Gala Day, Netball Gala Day, District Athletics Carnival and District Cross Country Carnival. Students who perform well at these events and TCS trials can be selected to represent the district, state and nation.
Inter-School Events
Throughout the year, representatives from the school will train for and compete against other schools in various sporting events. These events include but are not limited to the following: Rugby League – Jim Graham Cup, Development Cup, TCS Rugby League Gala Day and Ty Williams Cup; Soccer – Jamie Gosling Cup and School Futsal Championships; Netball – Fowlers Cup, Mary Mills Cup and TCS Netball Gala Day; FNQ Cross Country Championships; Cricket – Phil Minniecon Indigenous Cricket Cup and TCS Cricket Gala Day; as well as, Students with Disabilities – All Abilities Day and Variety Day.
Gala Day – In Term 3, all year 4-6 students take part in the annual TCS Primary School Gala Day. This is a day where schools across our district host various sports including, but not limited to, rugby league, touch football, soccer, cricket, basketball and AFL. The goal of this day is to encourage as many students as possible into a life of sport by giving them the chance to experience the sport of their choice in a non-competitive, fun and engaging environment.
