Physical Education & Sport
Student and staff health is very important to us at NDPS. Students participate in timetabled Physical Education each week with a specialist teacher, Miss Rose. In addition, classroom teachers take students for whole class games at different times throughout the week.
During Kupa Ngal (fortnightly), students can opt for mixed age activities, often a whole school game of t-ball, tiggy, rounders, "Capture the Flag" or similar.
On special Student Leaders Days each term, our seniors organise themed activities for the younger ones. These days usually operate in a round robin style, and see our student leaders teaching a skill or game to the younger ones. This is a fantastic opportunity for the development of leadership and organisational skills. We see our students shine!
The school day begins with laps around the oval as a whole school. This is a great opportunity for students to mix with different ages, and for staff to "check in" with students. Oftentimes parents and younger siblings join us for a morning walk and talk.
A Rural sporting competition calendar sees us compete with Bolwarra and Dartmoor Primary Schools, in Athletics and Cross Country. Those students who achieve highly in this are able to advance to District level (Portland, Heywood and District Primary School Sports Association), then onto Division (with Warrnambool and surrounds), followed by Regional (held in Ballarat) and State level competition. In 2024, we have two students who have been successful and will compete at State Level competition. A fantastic effort!
A school swimming and water safety program is held each year, which enables students to learn survival skills and swimming techniques at the local pool, PLACE. Instructors are provided and take the students through a series of lessons, further building skills.
We access additional experiences through the Government’s Sporting Schools Funding program. Recently this has included qualified instruction in tennis, hockey, AFL, and surfing.
The annual "Walk to School" event is well supported at NDPS, and we benefit from this community activity.