We want to shine a spotlight on some amazing work happening in one of our Territory schools - Nightcliff Middle School (NMS), where a whole-school approach to Physical Literacy is helping students move more, learn more, and be more positive.
 
In alignment with their 2024 ASIP goals, NMS began the journey of embedding movement into learning, wellbeing and culture. The major premise: when students are active, they enjoy their learning - and that leads to better engagement and outcomes.
 
Lead teacher Lisa Svara has been at the heart of this shift. She’s rolled out movement-based maths classes for students with high needs, shared practical active brain break ideas with staff, and helped students take the lead with lunchtime sport, a healthy lunchbox initiative, monthly staff vs student matches, and the Push-Up Challenge. It’s been a powerful culture shift with students more energised, teachers seeing stronger engagement, and wellbeing visibly improving across the school.
This kind of whole-school approach shouldn’t be the exception… it should be the norm.
 
According to Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance Australia’s 2022 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Young People:
  •  Only 1 in 4 Australian kids meet the national physical activity guidelines
  •  Less than a third of schools are giving students enough time to move
  •  Most students are exceeding screen time limits
  •  Overall fitness levels are below international benchmarks
 
There’s a clear need to prioritise movement and wellbeing in our schools and Lisa’s work is a brilliant example of how to do it well.