Our sport program builds physical skills and confidence while introducing collaborative competition and teamwork through age-appropriate activities. As in all other areas of the Grimwade House curriculum, we emphasise fun, participation and cooperation.
“Grimwade is where I discovered my passion for competition. I was given every opportunity under the sun to explore whatever it was I enjoyed. I tried out snow sports, athletics, and learned to swim in the Grimwade pool.”—Jess Morrison, Olympic Gold Medallist. Read more.
Inter-House and Inter-school sport
Year 3 to 6 students participate in Inter-House competitions in swimming, athletics and cross country.
In Years 5 and 6, students also compete with other schools in a range of sports including cricket, tennis, softball, football, netball, volleyball, basketball, hockey, soccer, sailing, and water polo. We have weekly training sessions and offer masterclasses in some of these disciplines.
These competitions normally occur during School hours, with training sessions held before or after school.
“When I found out I was in the [football] team, I felt ecstatic and so excited to be representing the School. I loved playing with my friends in front of a noisy crowd.”—Stella, Year 5 student. Read more.
Why competitive sport?
In today’s screen-focused world, we believe that competitive sport plays a crucial role in promoting physical health and well-being while offering lessons that go far beyond physical activity.
Regardless of the sport or competition level, the balance between striving for success and learning from defeat is invaluable. Winning highlights the importance of effort, preparation, and perseverance while teaching humility, kindness, and respect. Losing fosters reflection and growth, showing that failure can be an opportunity for learning and self-improvement.
Competitive sport also builds teamwork and camaraderie, teaching students to collaborate, communicate, and support one another. Pursuing shared goals reinforces the value of collective effort, trust, and belonging. It bridges diverse backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and core values such as fairness, integrity, and respect for teammates, opponents, rules, and officials.
Ultimately, these lessons extend into all areas of life, equipping students to face challenges with resilience, composure, and resolve.
Facilities to match each developmental stage
Purpose-built facilities that meet the abilities of each age group are part of what makes physical education at Grimwade unique. We have considered children’s needs in each area, from the size of our outdoor sporting facilities and gymnasium to our swimming pool, which is designed to be shallow enough for the shortest Prep student but deep enough to match the arm span of our tallest Year 6.
Grimwade students also have access to our extensive sporting facilities available at Edwin Flack Park.
Health and Physical Education
In addition to the sport program, Health and Physical Education classes are a core component of the curriculum at Grimwade House. We teach aquatics, ball and gym skills across all year levels, focusing on enjoyment as well as skill acquisition and personal improvement. Once students develop fundamental motor skills in Junior Primary, we introduce more complex, team-based games and activities.
The health competent within the subject complements these physical lessons, gradually introducing key concepts in food and nutrition, mental health and wellbeing, relationships, and safety in social settings in age-appropriate ways.