Year 7 PDHPE experienced different fundamental skills such as running, striking with their hands, feet and bats. They also learned to recognise the five components of health and the factors that affect them. The Safe and Sound unit covers all sorts of risks and how to minimise them, from technology, drugs, surf safety to how to stay safe in the sun. To enhance this knowledge, later this term a guest speaker from the Melanoma Institute will come to speak to the boys about how to stay safer in the sun and detect potential skin cancers and they will participate in a water safety unit at Gosford pool.
Year 8 PDHPE students have participated in European Handball, Soft Lacrosse and AFL (when the ovals aren’t closed due to rain) and will try basketball skills next term. In theory lessons they learned strategies to cope with and stop bullying. To complement this unit, they watched the Brainstorm production ‘Verbal Combat’ which is a thought provoking live performance that challenges students to reflect on cyberbullying, values and the responsible use of technology. Later this term, they will experience stress management techniques and wellbeing skills.
Year 9 PDHPE challenged stereotypes in their theory lessons and in prac they participated in blind athletics, seated volleyball, blind soccer, ‘on the knees’ table tennis and traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander games. The aim was to increase awareness of diversity in order to avoid discrimination, harassment and vilification. As part of this unit they will be experiencing wheelchair basketball and listening to a guest speaker talk about how he lives with disability and the challenges this creates.
Year 9 PASS learned how to analyse and appraise fad diets or physical activity regimes. They were also encouraged to design their own nutrition plan. They examined the contribution and impact of technology in sport. They were also wonderful ambassadors for our subject by helping the local and school communities by assisting with administration, refereeing and officiating at numerous primary school gala days and swimming carnivals.
Year 10 PDHPE spent more time learning how to develop and maintain respectful relationships. They also examined the extent and casual factors of road traffic crashes and how to respect others on the road. The boys were fortunate to travel to Sydney to take part in the bStreetsmart forum. This is a hard hitting, realistic view on road safety and the consequences of being reckless. The boys also got real life education tips on what to look for when buying their first car, such as bald tyres, breaking systems, air bags, crumple zones etc.
10 PASS took on the difficult task of anatomy and physiology and the Body Systems and Energy for Physical Activity. This term saw the students participate in and learn about strategies and techniques that could be used to enhance performance. In prac, they designed and participated in their own modified games.
Year 11 Outdoor Recreation VET course students completed their ‘Apply First Aid’ certificate and continued their fun with their four day camp. The boys and girls caught the Palm Beach Ferry from Ettalong, did a learn to surf lesson, before paddling kayaks across to The Basin. They had to set up tents, cook their own meals and then participate in fishing, hiking and mountain biking. It was an awesome adventure and Mr Gentle and Mr Tubridy loved leading the students on this experience. This topped off a great course where they also participated in a hike in Bouddi National Park, kayaking on the Brisbane Water and completing a basic water rescue at Gosford pool. I wish I was one of those students!
Year 11 Health and Movement Science continued their enthusiasm to learn about their bodies and health of Australians. They worked well together in small groups to collaboratively investigate an area of interest where they created a research question, hypothesis, collected data and compared this to existing data. Topics were interesting: Sociocultural status on golf participation; effects of alcohol on recovery of Rugby League players; the effectiveness of control measures on tobacco use; nutrition choices and effects on soccer performance; correlation between resting heart rates and endurance running; effect of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness on performance; investigation of spinal stress fractures in cricketers; comparison between younger and older generations perceptions of health.
A highlight was our excursion to the ACU High Performance Hub, Blacktown. Here the boys tested their lactate levels, reaction time and participated in biomechanical analysis of forces and the Wingate test. Later this term they will experience their first two hour examination for Health and Movement Science.
11SLR participated in netball and hockey units and other games and sports. These boys and girls know how to have fun and enjoy some robust friendly competition banter during practical lessons
Year 12 PDHPE have nearly finished their course and should have plenty of time to study. They should review feedback from the Trial HSC and focus on these areas. We wish them all the best for their future and hope their HSC results are what they worked for and deserved.
Year 12 SLR had fun trying their hand at golf, archery, badminton and table tennis. They just couldn’t get enough of any sport. Mr Carpenter accompanied them to the golf driving range and I was lucky enough to go with them to Central Coast Indoor Archery. They’ve really improved their skills in both!
Some fantastic, fun, relevant excursions and incursions to finish the year! What’s still to come?
Year 12 SLR: Aquatics at Gosford Pool (October/November) – Analysing a person’s stroke and correcting the technique.
Year 7 PDHPE: Water Safety at Gosford Pool (November) – performing life saving techniques to rescue themselves and others.
Year 10 PASS: Raw Challenge (November) – an obstacle course looking at fitness and FUN in the mud.
Year 10 PDHPE: Mock Interviews (November) – during the Year 10 Activities weeks. One of the most life relevant experiences, an interview with employers from the ADF and local communities. Mrs Dignam has organised these interviews along with other life relevant activities such as work experience, Care of Country excursion and many others.
Year 9 PASS: Snorkelling and hiking – a great day at Bouddi National Park, fitness, care for environment, games and chilling.
Another full and engaging year in PDHPE. Life skills and knowledge to keep us healthy, safe and happy. Thanks to the PDHPE staff for delivering these courses over the year.
