Sporting Schools

“Sporting Schools” is a funded sport program provided by the Australian Sports Commission. Funding for orienteering programs is available to primary schools in Victoria. Funding is provided directly to schools from the ASC. Schools nominate a sport usually on a term-to-term basis.

Schools can apply through Sports Australia for a grant to run a Sporting Schools orienteering program. A comprehensive delivery guide has been developed to enable teachers/instructors to run a four week program with the option to have an instructor provide a real orienteering course as week 4 or 5 at a local park (preferred where possible) or at the school. Teachers delivering the program will need to do a professional development session, and will be provided with a map and course file set up to run all the activities, as well as a copy of the guide. The grant can be used to cover mapping of the school (required), equipment, professional development session (required), travel to the off-site venue, and instruction time.

Requests for a booking are made through the Sporting Schools website, and where suitable schools will then be contacted by the schools program manager to make further arrangements.

All programs are tailored to your school’s need in discussion with your staff. Please contact the OV Schools Officer for more information.

More details about the funding process can be found on the Sporting Schools website: http://sportingschools.gov.au/

 

ORIENTEERING AT YOUR SCHOOL

Orienteering is a challenging outdoor adventure sport which exercises mind and body. It appeals to non-sporty children as much as those who are already active. Unlike some sports, students won’t be left on the bench or waiting to be passed the ball. In orienteering, they are the ball!

Students can go at their own pace – walk, jog or run. Their competitive juices often flow, it’s not just about speed. They interpret the map and choose the quickest route between control points, which may not necessarily be the shortest route. Many activities are done in pairs so the students get to coach each other, further adding to the learning experience.

Additional Opportunities

School Community Event

Engaging the family is the key to a student’s ongoing participation in organised sports. Immediately following the 4 week program we can run a special event for your students and their parents. This event could be after school or on a Saturday morning on your school map or at a local park. This is a great way for the kids to show off their new skills and share the fun of orienteering with mum and dad. We can also run an orienteering event at your school fair or as part of a sports carnival / house competition.

Park Orienteering and Excursions

As an addition or a substitution for the activities in week 3 or 4 we can provide a session at a local park or forest. These activities can be run as skill development or score orienteering event. This activity could involve a larger student group (instead of one class at a time).

Professional Development – Level 0 Coaching Accreditation

Orienteering Victoria provides Level 0 and Level 1 ASC Coaching Accreditations. Typically these are large seminars involving 5-20 teaching staff. The Level 0 course usually runs for 2 hours and the Level 1 course is a half day activity involving a forest practicum. These courses can count toward your annual professional development requirements.

Equipment Kit

The equipment kit allows you to run your own orienteering activities beyond the Sporting School Coaching sessions. The kit includes 20 flags with punches, 100 control cards and a storage box. An electronic SportIdent kit including 12 control stations, 20 e-tags and a thermal printer, that allows students to time their own activity is also available.

Schools Championships

Championships occur throughout the year in Victoria. These events involve students competing against each other in local parks and forests. Between 100 and 900 students (from 5 to 15 schools) participate in each event.

From parks and streets to bush and forest - there is an adventure for you.

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