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.
About the faculty
PDHPE (personal development, health and physical education) is an integral part of education. The issues covered in PDHPE assist your child to gain skills to enhance their growth, development and safety throughout adolescent years.
The aim of the PDHPE faculty is to develop students capacity to entice personal health and well being, enjoy an active lifestyle, maximise movement potential and advocate lifelong health and physical activity.
Personal development, health and physical education
This course is an Australian tertiary admission rank (ATAR) subject and allows students the opportunity to specialise in a subject that caters for an underlying interest in health and physical activity. It places increased emphasis on critical thinking and taking action to enhance lifestyle and wellbeing. This is an excellent course for students who wish to further their education in the fitness or sport industry after the HSC (Higher School Certificate). Career pathways include: PDHPE teaching, sports administration, physiotherapy, nursing, and personal training
Sport Coaching, Certificate II
This course is a vocational education and training (VET) subject and leads to the award of a Certificate II in Sport Coaching. This course counts toward the HSC program of study but not toward the ATAR and is recognised by industry and accredited under the Australian Quality Training Framework and provides advanced standing into technical and further education (TAFE) NSW. This is an ideal course for students wishing to enter TAFE courses and/or the fitness industry. The course has a fee of $25 a term.
Community and Family Studies
This course is an ATAR subject that draws on components of family studies, sociology, psychology and students general life experiences. Community and Family Studies (CAFS) provides opportunities for students to explore and form positive attitudes about themselves and others; to develop an understanding of their relationships within their families and other groups; to learn to work cooperatively and to appreciate the importance of effective communication.
Crossroads Year 11
This is a 25-hour mandatory course to be completed by all Year 11 students. Students are required to participate in a series of workshops focusing on relationships, sexual health and drug use. Throughout the workshops they will need to complete and submit a series of worksheets. Student assessment in this subject is based on completion of the worksheets and attendance at each workshop.
Year 7 to 10 PDHPE
This course is compulsory for every student in Years 7 to 10. The course aims to develop a students' capacity to enhance personal health and wellbeing, enjoy an active lifestyle, maximise movement potential and advocate lifelong health and physical activity. Students participate in practical and theoretical components to develop their skills and capabilities necessary to make and act on informed health decisions.
Physical Activity and Sports Studies
This course is an elective subject for students in Years 9 and 10. The course aims to enhance students' capacity to participate effectively in physical activity and sport, leading to improved quality of life for themselves and others. It incorporates a wide range of lifelong physical activities, including recreational, leisure and adventure pursuits, competitive and non-competitive games, and individual and group physical fitness activities. The course has a large practical component and students are involved in a number of recreational sporting activities. The course has a fee of $25 a term to cover costs of excursions.