LOCAL schools are setting their sights on increasing students’ physical activity through providing new equipment and programs, after they received funding from the State Government’s Active Schools grant initiative.

The Active Schools grants aim to increase physical activity outcomes across schools by providing funding to plan and implement a whole-school approach to improving student physical activity.

Coleraine Primary School, George Street Primary School, and Hamilton Parklands School were among the 96 grant recipients this year, with Western Victoria MP, Jaala Pulford, saying the money provided a fantastic opportunity for the schools.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate (the) Active Schools funding recipients,” she said.

“I want to congratulate Coleraine Primary School, George Street Primary School – Hamilton, and Hamilton Parklands School for their work to keep young Victorians active, fit and healthy.”

George Street Primary School principal, Tina Walkeden, said the grant would allow for new technology to be purchased which would motivate students to increase their levels of physical activity in a fun and educational way.

“We can expand our health and fitness program to include resources for every student, or family member, which isn’t available otherwise,” she said.

“The grant is going towards the purchase of Fitbits for every student and a parent - if they too wish to participate in our Step-up challenge - where students set targets of a minimum 10,000 daily steps and then challenge one another, as well as staff, and family members.

“The challenge will be open to the community to compete with students, with a maths focus on calculating steps, who needs to increase their steps, and by how many.”

Coleraine Primary School principal, Sally Mason, said the staff and students were excited to receive the Active Schools grant and would put the funds towards expanding their current sports program.

“We have recently installed a new state of the art, adjustable height basketball hoop and board on our outdoor court, available for use to the broader community through the South West Community Foundation,” she said.

“Together with the Active Schools grant we will be able to purchase a new school set of basketballs and offer a week-long skills program with Basketball Victoria coaches for our students.”

Ms Mason said teaching students about health and wellbeing was a key priority for Coleraine Primary School and the grant would assist by providing more opportunities for students to be active. 

“Through education and increased physical movement, we will be able to contribute to improved mental health and wellbeing and physical health of our community,” she said.

“Increased opportunities to play sport and be active help to make regular exercise a habit from a young age and to develop cardiovascular fitness and maintain a healthy weight. 

“Just as importantly, our Active Schools program will provide our school community with much needed opportunities that COVID has taken away over the past couple of years, for young people to engage in social interactions, be part of a team and learn skills such as problem solving, leadership, self-confidence, communication, teamwork and improved sense of community and connectedness.”

Hamilton Parklands School also received the government grant, which principal, Sonya Holden, said has been put towards providing “specialist services” and “varied opportunities” for students.

“In Term 2 we contacted a local physiotherapist who came to school once a week and completed some exercises and activities with all the students,” she said.

“This supported them in a number of ways, including developing fine and gross motor skills, developing teamwork and generally engaging in some good fun activities.

“This term we have been able to participate in a weekly session at Palace Martial Arts where all the students are highly engaged in learning how to be active and disciplined while also developing some self-confidence and respect for themselves and each other.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to explore activities and sports they may not otherwise be able to try, with the aim to introducing students to out of school activities for their future health and wellbeing.”

The Active Schools grants are part of the government’s $45.4 million initiative to give Victorian kids the skills, confidence, and motivation to be active for life.