Program Description

In 2008 the Queensland State Government introduced the ‘Smart Moves’ program into all Queensland schools. For more information: http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/healthy/physical-activity-programs.html. The Smart Moves - Physical Activity Program in Queensland State Schools is a State Government initiative involving the Department of Education, Training and the Arts; the Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation and Queensland Health. Smart Moves aims to ensure that all Queensland state school students engage in physical activity each day within curriculum time.

It is widely recognised that physical activity is essential for good health and wellbeing and that physically active children are more likely to become physically active adults. Engaging in physical activity at school enhances students’ educational outcomes, supports their personal development and promotes lifelong active lifestyles. State schools and teachers have a critical role in ensuring the increased participation of physical activity and in improving the quality of physical activity delivered to all Queensland state school students.

As a school principal this presents one or two imminent challenges for you;

• The Development of a ‘Physical Activity Action Plan’ by the beginning of February 2008.
• The Implementation of Smart Moves by July 2008.
• Ensuring the involvement of all classroom teachers in the co-ordination of activity lessons.
• Provision for ‘Up-Skilling’ classroom teachers regarding activity and healthy lifestyle.

With this in mind we have developed:

The ‘SMASH-ACTIVE’ program is a complete, annual classroom activity kit. Scheduling 30 minutes moderate-high intensity exercise per day, ‘SMASH-ACTIVE’ has been designed by experienced Physical Educators and Exercise Physiologists to provide an easily implemented classroom activity kit. Each daily ‘Smash Activity Set’ contains two 15-minute activities, the first requiring minimal set up, ensuring that ‘down-time’ is minimised. This also allows teachers time and flexibility to set up any required equipment for the second 15 minutes activity.

‘SMASH-ACTIVE’ has been developed to satisfy the requirements imposed upon schools, principals and classroom teachers with the implementation of ‘Smart Moves’.