Passport into Schools

The Department of Sport and Recreation conducted a Junior Sport and Education Forum with representatives from State Sporting Associations, schools and other key industry bodies to discuss access to schools by sporting organisations and effective implementation of programs.

Related topics: school,youth

Key points from the forum:

A focus on mutually beneficial outcomes for both parties achieves the best results.
Communication is required involving personal contact on a professional level.
It is important the presenter is able to motivate students, relate to the specific age group, manage the class and cater for a variety of different ability and interest levels. The presenter must have the ability to deliver sessions that are fun, engaging, active and well organised.
Planning for activity sessions is best done well in advance and in collaboration with the teacher. Planning must consider the needs of the school program, interest of the students and the maintenance of ongoing links with the school.
Sport organisations require a close working knowledge of student outcomes and how they can support their use in the physical education curriculum in schools.
Sports organisations require an understanding of the different sport systems within schools.
Responsibilities and expectations of both the school and the sports organisations need to be clearly outlined well in advance of the school visit.
The sport organisation representative visiting schools may have some coaching experience but no formal teaching qualifications. There is a need for an information booklet to refer to regarding basic principles and examples of strategies for developing and maintaining partnerships with schools.
A variety of successful programs for both city and country schools are currently in place using a range of strategies from which other sporting organisations can learn.

Passport into Schools — Linking Sport with Schools is a guide that has recently been developed to provide best practice ideas for initiating and maintaining partnerships between schools and sport.