Personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE) is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.
According to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), students are expected to participate in PDHPE for 300 hours per year in Years 7 to 10.
PDHPE provides students with opportunities to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others – now and in the future. Students also participate in challenging and enjoyable physical activity, improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence.
In Year 11 and 12, courses available include:
- Community and Family Studies
- Exploring Early Childhood
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SPORTS STUDIES
STAGE 5 (YEAR 9 & 10 ELECTIVE)
Physical Activity and Sports Studies represents a broad view of physical activity and the many possible contexts in which individuals can build activity into their lifestyle. It incorporates a wide range of lifelong physical activities, including recreational, leisure and adventure pursuits, competitive and non-competitive games, individual and group physical fitness activities, and the use of physical activity for therapy and remediation.
PDHPE
STAGE 6 PRELIMINARY & HSC
The Preliminary course examines a range of areas that underpin health and physical activity. This includes how people think about health and physical activity, the management of personal health and the basis for how the body moves. Students have the opportunity to select from a range of practical options in areas such as first aid, outdoor recreation, composing and performing, and fitness choices.
In the HSC course, students focus on major issues related to Australia's health status. They also look at factors that affect physical performance. They undertake optional study from a range of choices. This includes investigating the health of young people or of groups experiencing health inequities. In other options, students focus on improved performance and safe participation by learning about advanced approaches to training or sports medicine concepts. There is also an opportunity to think critically about the factors that impact on sport and physical activity in Australian society.
Preliminary Course
Core Topics (60%)
- Better Health for Individuals
- The Body in Motion
Optional Component (40%)
Students select two of the following options:
- First Aid
- Composition and Performance
- Fitness Choices
- Outdoor Recreation
HSC Course
Core Topics (60%)
- Health Priorities in Australia
- Factors Affecting Performance
Optional Component (40%)
Students select two of the following options:
- The Health of Young People
- Sport and Physical Activity in Australian Society
- Sports Medicine
- Improving Performance
- Equity and Health
SPORT, LIFESTYLE AND RECREATION
STAGE 5 & 6 NESA ENDORSED COURSE
Students will learn about the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle and recognise the need to be responsible and informed decision-makers.
This course enables students to further develop their understanding of and competence in a range of sport and recreational pursuits. They are encouraged to establish a lifelong commitment to being physically active and to achieving movement potential.
Through the course students will develop:
- knowledge and understanding of the factors that influence health and participation in physical activity
- knowledge and understanding of the principles that impact on quality of performance
- an ability to analyse and implement strategies to promote health, activity and enhanced performance
- a capacity to influence the participation and performance of self and others.
The course provides the opportunity to specialise in areas of expertise or interest through optional modules such as:
- Aquatics
- Athletics
- First Aid
- Fitness
- Specific Sports
- Gymnastics
- Outdoor Recreation
- Sports Administration
- Coaching
- Social Perspectives of Sport
- Healthy Lifestyle.