Our ‘sport for all’ philosophy at Ravenswood provides opportunities for all girls to participate at all skill levels, promoting both inclusiveness and the physical and mental wellbeing aspects of sport. Being involved in sport builds confidence, encourages teamwork and helps facilitate friendships outside the classroom.
At Ravenswood, we believe that sport should be fun, as well as competitive, and teach girls how to enjoy success, accept disappointment and build resilience.
Opportunities for Junior School students range from House, representative and elite-level competitions to group and private lessons across a broad range of sports. Whether competing in state or national competitions or having fun in a social team, students are encouraged to strive for their best.
Junior School students have access to state-of-the-art sporting facilities on campus, including a 25-metre indoor swimming and diving pool, tennis courts, basketball and netball courts, a gymnasium and an oval.
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
Through our Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) program, we provide students with opportunities to enhance their own and others’ health, safety, wellbeing and participation in physical activity.
In Prep, students have two P.E. lessons per fortnight. From Kindergarten to Year 2, they engage in three P.E. lessons and two Personal Development (P.D.) lessons each fortnight. From Year 3 through to Year 6, the curriculum expands to include four P.E. lessons and two P.D. lessons weekly.
This progression ensures a balanced and comprehensive approach to students’ physical, emotional, social and mental wellbeing throughout their Junior School journey.
Junior School Sports
Sports on offer to Junior School students throughout the year include AFL, Athletics, Basketball, Cross-Country, Diving, Equestrian, Football (Soccer), Gymnastics (Artistic and Rhythmic), Hockey, Golf, Pilates, Netball, Snowsports, Tennis, Touch Football and Water polo. Ravenswood also offers a Kindergarten to Year 2 Friday afternoon Sport Program.
The famous RAVO spirit abounds whenever there are House carnivals, championships or interschool competitions. House sport includes Athletics, Cross-Country, Diving and Swimming.
For select sports such as Athletics, Diving, Equestrian, Tennis, Gymnastics, Snowsports and Swimming (through the Ravenswood Swimming Club), opportunities for students to compete at regional, state and national levels are available through clubs and other associations.
Representative Sport
Ravenswood is represented in the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA) in a range of sports. IPSHA provides a representative pathway to a national level for elite athletes through its affiliation with the NSW Combined Independent Schools Sports Council, the NSW Primary Schools Sport Association and School Sport Australia.
On Saturday mornings, teams in Years 3 to 6 also participate in IPSHA graded competitions. Players can also be selected for representative teams based on their level of skill, fitness and game knowledge.
Sports Coaching and Lessons
Ravenswood offers on-campus lessons for Ravenswood students and students in the community in Swimming, Diving, Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Tennis.
Swimming
From Learn-to-Swim programs and stroke development classes to Advanced Squad Training, the Ravenswood Swimming Program offers support for all abilities and interests. It is open to Ravenswood students, their siblings and other members of the community. The Ravenswood Swimming Club also provides swimmers the opportunity to compete at area, metropolitan, state, national and international level.
Tennis
Tennis coaching through our Ravenswood Tennis program also caters for all levels of ability. The Tennis Hot Shots program for Junior School students incorporates lighter racquets and low-compression balls to make learning tennis fun and accessible.
Emerging players in the Junior School can engage in private lessons, small group lessons or development squads to focus on technical, tactical and physical areas of tennis. Holiday Programs are also available on the Ravenswood tennis courts.
Gymnastics
Artistic Gymnastics lessons are available to students from Prep to Year 12. Squad classes to perfect routines in preparation for competitions and championships are available, as are recreational classes. Opportunities also exist for students to represent Ravenswood in regional, state and national competitions.