npsds

All students are able to participate in bike riding at school. There is a range of bikes for all abilities; tricycles, scooters, bikes with training wheels and mountain bikes allow each student to progress as their skills improve. The school has several Bike Ed trained instructors to run the program and its own bike trailer which allows more able groups accompanied by staff to ride along bike trails in the local community – Braeside Park, Jells Park, Lysterfield Lake and the Dandenong Creek Trail from Jells Park to Carrum.
Each year selected students and staff train for and attend the Alpine 100 which is ridden along the Murray to the Mountains rail trail in north-east Victoria and the Super Ride which is held at Blackwood. Both are tough rides which the students do exceptionally well at.

The bike program aims to promote:
• Safety • Basic bike skills • Enjoyment • Fitness

All students are given the opportunity to attend camp during their time at Noble Park. The school is a member of both Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre and Garfield North Outdoor Education Centre where students together with staff are able to experience different environments, engage in a variety of new recreational activities, take on responsibilities and participate in a positive social program.
The program is gradually introduced to students as they enter the Primary Section of the school. The first experience is an overnight stay at school before moving on to a two or three night stay then a full week at the aforementioned camp sites. Senior students have also been on camps to Sydney and Tasmania.

The camp program aims to promote:
• Independent Life Skills • Friendship • Participation in a variety of new experiences – bushwalking, low ropes, environmental activities, leadership activities and a variety of other challenges • Self-esteem • Team work

All students are given the opportunity to participate in swimming sessions during their time at Noble Park. The school has several Austswim trained staff who attend local swim centres with the students throughout the year. We aim to provide a broad, balanced program of swimming, water safety and survival skills in preparation for a lifetime of safe activity in, on or near the water with appropriate supervision.

Swimming sessions provide opportunities to build confidence and respect for the water with students participating in individual programs geared around the following areas:
• Water discovery • Water awareness • Water confidence • Water sense

A hydrotherapy program is also provided for students with high needs.


The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award offers selected students a personal challenge of a different kind. Students complete four components for the award – Physical, Service, Skills and an Adventurous Journey over a two year period. At the successful completion certificates and badges are awarded to students. Activities students have done include gym, dance, Meals on Wheels, gardening, mosaics, Chinese cooking, camps and excursions to new venues.
Staff assist students to choose a program of activities according to personal needs, aptitudes and availability of resources. The program is designed so that the students may derive self-reliance, a sense of worth and show initiative and responsibility. As well as offering a challenge to students, it can create new interests, enhance skills students already have and are recognized by employers as an indication of character and self-discipline.
The award is non-competitive and personally challenges an individual to reach their full potential. The entire program is carried out at school during school hours.

The Riding ForThe Disabled ( RDA ) program is on every Thursday morning at Myuna Farm. One class from our school (6-7 students) attend all year. The students are given a horse to learn to ride on and get to know for the year. Qualified volunteers teach all riding skills and support students along side the horse.
The students learn to mount and dismount a horse, to sit correctly, hold the reins, direct the horse to stop and turn using the reins and/ or voice commands.
Apart from learning horse riding skills the experience helps to strengthen students’ upper bodies, balance, perceptual motor skills, spatial awareness and language skills. It is amazing what some of the students can do when sitting on a horse!