More than 200 South Australian schools will share in grants totalling more than $100,000 to help students become more active. Schools can apply for a $500 ‘Getting Started Grant’ as part of the 2008 Premier’s be active Challenge, by registering at least 100 students or 80% of their student population.
$100,000 in grants for active schools
Hon JANE LOMAX-SMITH MP Minister for Education & Children's Services Minister for Tourism Minister for the City of Adelaide Contact details
May 2, 2008
More than 200 South Australian schools will share in grants totalling more than $100,000 to help students become more active.
Schools were invited to apply for a $500 ‘Getting Started Grant’ as part of the 2008 Premier’s be active Challenge, by registering at least 100 students or 80% of their student population.
Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith announced in State Parliament yesterday that every one of the 202 schools that applied would receive a $500 grant.
In addition, schools that take part in this year’s Challenge will be eligible for sports equipment grants, awarded at the end of the Challenge for outstanding effort.
“It is very encouraging to see that schools are recognising their students’ health as a top priority by participating in the Premier’s be active Challenge,” Dr Lomax-Smith says.
“Schools will use their grants for everything from new sporting equipment to professional development in physical education for teachers.
“There has been a terrific groundswell of support for this year’s challenge, with more than 22,000 students already signed up, and more expected to follow.”
Part of the reason for growing interest in the Challenge is due to the introduction of a simple new system for students to record their physical activity, reducing administration time for teachers.
Also this year, schools will host visits from the new Premier’s be active Challenge Ambassadors – eight prominent South Australian sportspeople who aim to inspire children across the State to take up the Challenge to be more physically active.
This term, Port Power captain Warren Tredrea will visit Murray Bridge Special and Murray Bridge South Primary schools while team mate Shaun Burgoyne will visit Victor Harbour High and Goolwa Primary schools.
So far this year, Adelaide Crows footballer Brett Burton has visited Lockleys Primary School while Wallaroo Mines Primary School’s sports day was opened by Adelaide Lightning captain Sam Woosnam.
Former AFL footballer and media personality Ryan Fitzgerald, Australian netballer Natalie von Bertouch, Adelaide United’s Angelo Costanzo and former SANFL footballer and firefighter Mark Soderstrom are the other 2008 Premier’s be active Challenge Ambassadors.
The Premier’s be active Challenge recognises students from Reception to Year 9 who can stay active for at least 60 minutes a day, five days a week for 10 weeks.
Activities that count towards achieving the Challenge are wide-ranging to accommodate students of different abilities and fitness levels.
Children who achieve the Challenge are eligible for medals and other awards while sports equipment grants are given for the most outstanding efforts in individual schools.
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