During the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers have been required to adapt and upskill to new modes of learning.

While the transition has been an uncertain one, St Albans North Primary is one of many schools who took up the challenge to deliver their Sporting Schools programs themselves, resulting in a win for students and teachers alike.

In term 2, 2020, teacher Elizabeth Blazevska decided remote learning wasn’t just for students.

‘When the Victorian lockdown forced teachers to engage in more remote learning, I wasn’t sure what the future of sport would look like at our school,’ Elizabeth Blazevska said.

‘I undertook an Athletics Australia coaching course, which took a bit of time, but was really worth it.

‘The course went through all the fundamentals of the sport and helped me understand how I could modify the lessons for my students, based on skill and age,’ Elizabeth said

Since mid-2020, teacher delivered packages on offer by Sporting Schools partner national sporting organisations have become more popular, fostering professional learning and development for teachers, many of whom are new to, or unsure how to deliver sport programs.

‘Sporting Schools has equipped teachers to feel confident in offering a wider range of curriculum programs, as well as lunch time activities, providing opportunities for students to participate in sport more often,’ Elizabeth explained.

‘Being able to purchase new equipment with Sporting Schools funding really supported the teacher-delivered programs. The equipment packs were all so easy to use and everything we needed was there. The student's ability to access the correct equipment has been a great motivator – they think it is cool and want to have a go.’

‘Sporting Schools has not only given us the equipment and the resources to play new sports, but it has also given teachers the opportunity to develop and support more students on a pathway to engage in community sport,’ Elizabeth said.

The Sporting Schools team continues to work with schools and sports to develop new teacher-led resources, providing even more professional learning opportunities, which are aligned to the curriculum.