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.
Stage 4 PDHPE - Years 7-8
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education is a compulsory course for students through Years 7 to 10. During each term of Year 7 and 8 students will complete two periods of practical and two periods of theory each fortnightly cycle.
Students are assessed on knowledge, understanding, skill, cooperation and participation. Assessment tasks are set from syllabus outcomes in practical and theory classes each term. Some of these assessments must be completed as independent tasks.
The strands covered in PDHPE are self and relationships, movement skill and performance, lifelong physical activity and individual and community health.
Sport
Sport is now integrated into the curriculum at Mount Austin High School. Students in years 7-10 will have two periods of sport on their timetable each fortnight. Year groups will be rotated through a variety of different team and individual sporting activities every year.
Stage 5 PDHPE - Years 9-10
Movement
Students that enrol in this course experience some new and exciting activities such as underwater hockey, snorkelling, American Football, archery, rock climbing, squash, self-defence, aerobics, weight training, camping, hiking, golf, lawn bowls, croquet and water polo and much more. There is also a theory component (Weeks 1-3) at the start of each term including: Body Systems & Energy, Fitness, Nutrition for Sport, Lifestyle, Leisure & Recreation (Year 9) and Australia’s Sporting Identity, Pathways in Sport and Coaching and Enhancing Performance (Year 10).
The movement course is designed by the PDHPE staff specifically for students of MAHS who enjoy sport, recreation, an active lifestyle and the great outdoors.
For some practical units, venues outside the school are utilised along with expertise from the community. During the two-year course each student participates in an overnight camping excursion. Students are required to pay a course contribution which covers the cost of excursions, camps and equipment for Movement.
Stage 6 PDHPE - Years 11-12
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
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
Community and Family Studies
This course is designed to develop in each student an understanding of the diverse nature and interdependence of families and communities, within Australian society. The course enables students to plan and manage resources effectively in order to address contemporary issues facing families and communities.