PDHPE CURRICULUM
Years 7 – 10 (Stages 4 & 5)
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) develops the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes important for students to take positive action to protect and enhance their own and others’ health, safety and wellbeing in varied and changing contexts. Physical education is fundamental to the acquisition of movement skills and concepts to enable students to participate in a range of physical activities – confidently, competently and creatively.
The Personal Development and Health strands include lifestyle issues on alcohol and other drugs, food and nutrition, relationships, mental health and wellbeing, safety, personal identity and sexual health.
Students learn in movement, about movement and through movement and are given opportunities to apply and adapt their skills across multiple contexts, including Games, Gymnastics, Athletics, Aquatics, Rhythmic and Expressive movement, initiative and lifelong physical activities.
PDHPE ELECTIVES
Years 9 – 10 (Stage 5)
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIY AND SPORTS STUDIES (PASS)
Physical Activity and Sports Studies represents a broad view of physical activity and the many 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.
At Mackellar Girls Campus, our students study a theory component in the areas of Anatomy and Physiology, Technology and Sport, Social Issues in Sports, Sports Nutrition, Components of Fitness, Sports, First Aid, and Career pathways. In the practical component, learning opportunities include Fitness, Biathlon, Surfing, Racquet Sports, Self Defence, Coaching, Gymnastics, Indigenous games, Para-games, Touch Football, Outdoor Education (including the Ski Camp at Jindabyne), Beach Volleyball, AFL, Orienteering and other Recreational pursuits.
CHILD STUDIES
Child Studies explores the broad range of social, environmental, genetic and cultural factors that influence prenatal development and a child’s sense of wellbeing and belonging between 0 and 8 years of age.
This syllabus reflects the multidimensional nature of child development and learning and the interconnectedness of the physical, social, emotional, personal, creative, spiritual, cognitive and linguistic domains. Students have the opportunity to explore this interrelationship through each stage of development in the early years. Child Studies also includes study of preconception and family preparation, newborn care and the influence and impact of nutrition, play, technology, media and career pathways.
SENIOR COURSES
Years 11 -12 (Stage 6)
Preliminary and HSC Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
The PDHPE syllabus focuses on a social view of health where the principles of diversity, social justice and supportive environments are fundamental aspects of health. The examination of individual, family and community values and beliefs and the sociocultural and physical environments in which we live provides an explanation for health status and sustainable solutions for better health.
This course also includes a detailed study of movement and physical activity. The emphasis is on understanding how the body moves and the sociocultural influences that regulate movement. Scientific aspects include anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and skill acquisition. Students also think critically about aspects of history, economics, gender and media as they impact on patterns of participation in physical activity and the ways that movement is valued.
At Mackellar Girls Campus, students in the Preliminary Course study Physical Activity, the Body in Motion, Better Health for Individuals, First Aid, Fitness Choices and Outdoor Recreation. In the HSC course , students focus on Health priorities in Australia, the Health of Young People, Equity and Health, Factors affecting Performance and Improving Performance.
Community and Family Studies (CAFS)
Community and Family Studies Stage 6 aims to develop in each student an ability to manage resources and take action to support the needs of individuals, groups, families and communities in Australian society. Students plan and manage resources to address contemporary issues facing families and communities.