Thornlie school wins inaugural physical education award

Thornlie Primary School has won the inaugural award for the Western Australian primary school with the most outstanding physical education program.

Sport and Recreation Minister Graham Edwards said the school had shown great commitment to physical education and sport throughout 1992.

"The awards have been introduced to recognise schools which encourage and support physical education and sport programs for children," Mr Edwards said.

Thornlie's program included a comprehensive needs assessment which indicated a lack of fitness, physical education skills and self-esteem among the children.

This led to the formulation of a special action plan resulting in a well-balanced and innovative program involving daily fitness sessions, skill developmental lessons and sport sessions.

"The school also conducted a wide variety of activities such as gymnastics, dance and aquatics, which were complemented by an active inter-school sporting program," Mr Edwards said.

The school's physical education specialist Andrew Watt and many of the children's parents had been involved in the program.

Mr Edwards presented the school with $500 worth of sporting equipment from Slater Gartrell Sports and a trophy from Leisure WA.

"More than 60 entries were received by the Ministry of Sport and Recreation and many revealed some wonderful physical education programs being conducted by our primary schools.

"Without exception they were all innovative and interesting and showed the amount of work some schools are prepared to put into this important area of education."

Mr Edwards said special commendation awards would be presented to primary schools in Floreat Park, Ardross, Edgewater, North Woodvale, Forrestfield, Mullaloo Beach, Coolbinia and Shay Gap as well as the Rostrata Primary School in Willetton.