Grammar gives hearty skipping effort

BALLARAT Grammar’s junior school pupils generated the highest Jump Rope for Heart fundraising total in Victoria last term.

Practicing their skipping skills in on-campus physical education classes, enjoying it as a form of exercise when learning from home, and taking part in a Jump Off Day, students worked to gain sponsorship funds throughout term three and raised $15,032 for the Heart Foundation campaign.

Grade 1 pupil Anna was especially proud of her school’s effort, and her own opportunity to take part alongside her sister Elena in grade 3.

“When I was three weeks old, I had heart surgery. Jump Rope for Heart helps some kids that have the same heart condition that I have,” Anna said.

Junior School Sports Coordinator Emma Burnham said skipping is a big part of the PE and sport curriculum, and that children enjoy picking up a skipping rope at lunch or recess to practice in the playground.

“It’s a really good way for students to stay really active. They like doing partner skipping and coming up with routines,” she said.

“Throughout our online PE program, skipping was a really good simple form of exercise at home. If they didn’t have a rope, they could use what we call an invisible rope.

“We held a Jump Off Day on our last day of term when we had preps, ones and twos back. The Heart Foundation provided QR wristbands for fundraising this year, and they loved them. The visual, tactile thing may have made the difference.”