The PDHPE department caters for students from Years 7 to 12 with a variety of subjects ranging from the core subject of PDHPE in Years 7 to 10. It also offers students the elective subject of physical activity and sports studies. In Years 11 and 12 students are able to choose either the 2 unit ATAR subject of PDHPE or the 2 unit non-ATAR course sport lifestyle and recreation.
The faculty provides students with many opportunities to engage in a variety of physical activities in PE during their junior high schooling. Students are timetabled for 2 x 75 minutes physical education lessons and 1 x 75 minutes period of health theory per cycle. All students in the junior school do common units in fitness testing, gymnastics, athletics and dance throughout the junior school program. Other studied may include more traditional sports and recreational activities.
The school has access to many sporting facilities within walking distance, which provide students’ a greater range of opportunities to engage in a variety of sporting and recreation activities in the elective subjects strands offered in PDHPE.
Stage 4 (Years 7 & 8)
In Year 7 PDHPE students study one period of theory and 2 periods of practical per cycle. In theory, topics studied include:
- the nature of health
- myself and others
- health for the future and balance the scales.
In the practical component of PE students undertake a range of activities that include fitness testing, fundamental movement skills, athletics, dance, gymnastics and games such as basketball, soccer, Oz tag, netball and hockey.
In Year 8 PDHPE students study one period of theory and 2 periods of practical per cycle. In theory, topics studied include:
- young and restless
- caring relationships and challenge verses risk.
In the practical component if PE students undertake a range of activities that include fitness testing, gymnastics, athletics, dance, and games such as basketball, softball, racquet games, minor games, soccer, and cricket.
Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10)
In Year 9 PDHPE students study one period of theory and 2 periods of practical per cycle. In theory, topics studied include:
- The Media and Me
- Choices and Consequences
- Respect for Myself and Others.
In the practical component of PE students undertake a range of activities that include fitness testing, gymnastics, athletics, dance, and games basketball, touch, hockey, and gridiron.
In Year 10 PDHPE students study one period of theory and 2 periods of practical per cycle. In theory, topics studied include, My Place in the World, On the Road and Take the Challenge. In the practical component of PE students undertake a range of activities that include fitness testing, gymnastics, athletics, dance, and game volleyball, touch and softball. At the end of the Year 10 course students may qualify for the ROSA (record of school achievement) in PDHPE if they successfully complete the Stage 5 course including both practical and theory components.
Stage 6 (Years 11 & 12) 2 unit PDHPE board endorsed course
In Year 11, students study PDHPE for 6 periods per cycle. Students undertake an in depth study into topics including better health for individuals (core 1), body in motion (core 2) and two options that include outdoor recreation and composition and performance. At the end of Year 11 students may qualify for the Preliminary Year ROSA or continue into Year 12.
In Year 12 students study PDHPE for 6 periods per cycle. Students undertake an in depth study into topics including health priorities in Australia (core 1) factors affecting performance (core 2) and two options that include, improving performance and sports medicine. At the end of Year 12 students will be awarded the HSC (Higher School Certificate) in PDHPE.
Stage 6 (Years 11 & 12) sport lifestyle and recreation (SLR) 2 unit content endorsed course
In Year 11, students undertake SLR for 6 periods per cycle. During a cycle students do 4 periods of practical and 2 periods of theory. Topics studied include, outdoor education, fitness, coaching and games application 1 & 2. At the end of Year 11 students may qualify for the Preliminary Year ROSA or continue into Year 12. Students may elect to drop SLR at the start of Year 12 or at some point in Year 12. There is no prerequisite should a student wish to pick SLR in Year 12.
In Year 12, students undertake SLR for 6 periods per cycle. During each cycle a student will do 4 periods of practical and 2 periods of theory. Topics studied include, individual games, aquatics, resistance training and games applications 1 & 2. There is no HSC exam for SLR although students sit a yearly exam during the trial exam period. This subject is a non ATAR subject but a course grade is included on student’s Higher School Certificate document.