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.
School play an important role in developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes young people need to balance their lifestyle for healthy living. The mandatory Year 7–10 syllabus acknowledges the link between a balanced lifestyle and good health. Students develop skills to manage stress, prioritise sleep and make positive health choices.
Mandatory PDHPE
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) is a mandatory course that is studied in each of Years 7-10 with at least 300 hours to be completed by the end of Year 10. PDHPE develops students' capacity to enhance personal health and well-being. It promotes their enjoyment of and commitment to an active lifestyle and to achieve confidence and competence in a wide variety of physical activities. In the junior years the practical component of PDHPE emphasises basic movement skills, fitness, physical activity, aquatics, game skills and participation. Emphasis is placed on team work, fair play and sportsmanship.
PDHPE encourages young people to take a positive approach to managing their lives and aims to equip them with skills and values for current and future challenges. It helps develop in young people the capacity to take responsibility for their own learning and promotes the value of physical activity in their lives. The PDHPE program at Sarah Redfern High School is inclusive and sensitive to cultural diversity and aims to provide equal and valuable experiences to all students, catering to all students' level of skill and ability.
Within the theoretical component, PDHPE students develop knowledge and understanding, skills and values and attitudes that enable them to advocate lifelong health and physical activity. In PDHPE Years 7-10, students explore:
- The benefits of a balanced lifestyle which includes rest, sleep and physical activity
- The role and impact of stress on health
- A range of positive management strategies to support good health, eg yoga, relaxation, physical activity and listening to music
- Available support services and skills to access health information, products and services.
Elective PDHPE Courses
Stage 5
- Child Studies
- Physical Activity and Sport Studies
- Sport Enrichment
- Rugby Development
Stage 6
- Community and Family Studies
- Exploring Early Childhood
- PDHPE
- Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation
- VET Sport Coaching
To complement the PDHPE curriculum for our senior students, Sarah Redfern High School run the Crossroads program. The Crossroads syllabus suggests content and resources explicitly designed to address positive wellbeing, engagement, mindfulness and the importance of sleep.