PDHPE

Stretching

We explore issues that are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of themselves and others, now and in the future

Welcome to the PDHPE Department

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) contribute significantly to the cognitive, social, emotional, physical and spiritual development of students.

It provides opportunities for students to learn about, and practice ways of, adopting and maintaining a healthy, productive and active life. It also involves students learning through movement experiences that are both challenging and enjoyable, and improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence in a variety of contexts. It promotes the value of physical activity in their lives.

Learning in PDHPE develops in students the knowledge and skills needed to understand and enhance their interactions and interpersonal relationships in ways that promote positive health and movement outcomes for themselves and others.

PDHPE provides the opportunity for young people to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of themselves and others, now and in the future. The issues that affect young people include physical activity, mental health, drug use, sexual health, nutrition, supportive relationships, personal safety, gender roles and discrimination.

The PDHPE curriculum is important in enhancing resilience and connectedness. It is designed to be affirming and inclusive of those young people who experience a range of challenges in managing their own health. Through learning in PDHPE, students have opportunities to develop personal coping strategies for everyday life.

PDHPE plays a key role in promoting physical activity and developing competency in movement skills. It provides opportunities for students to develop adapt and improvise their movement skills in a wide variety of challenging contexts and environments that appeal to their needs and interests, enhance enjoyment and excitement in their lives, and ultimately increase the likelihood of lifelong physical activity.

Learning in PDHPE encourages young people to take a positive approach to managing their lives and equips them with skills for current and future challenges.

The Head of PDHPE at Newington is Mr Wayne Cox

Health & Fitness

There has been and will continue to be a great deal of discussion and conjecture in society generally with regard to declining adolescent fitness standards and why this is occurring. One of the first issues to be dealt with before implementing a conditioning process is accurately quantifying what is a reasonable level of fitness for a person's age, how is it measured and how an improvement or a decline are monitored.

The definitions of fitness are varied but essentially focus on the notion of being able to carry out everyday tasks without undue fatigue and with enough energy to enjoy leisure pursuits.

The benefits of being physically fit are well documented - an improved quality of life not just physically, but spiritually, mentally and socially.

Fitness levels are a reflection of understanding, lifestyle and habit and it is the promotion of healthy living as a life long habit that forms one of the cornerstones of the Personal Development Health & Physical Education (PDHPE) Course throughout NSW schools. Patterns of physical activity and diet are two habits that impact significantly on physical wellbeing. The habits formed whilst still at school can have a pronounced impact on a person's life well after schooling days are over.

Running

During 2004, Newington initiated a detailed process of measuring and analysing the cardiovascular fitness levels of all students in Years 7 to 10. Utilising the 20-Metre Shuttle Run or 'Beep test', more than 4700 tests were conducted over the course of four terms. This enabled the establishment of age-based norms and descriptive bands that objectively reflect a student's cardiovascular capacity relative to his peers. The establishment of these bands facilitates the rapid evaluation of students, quantifying absolute fitness standards and any changes over time.

Testing for students in Years 7-10 takes place in the middle of each of the four school terms. The results of each student's current fitness test will be recorded in their Home Lesson Diary (HLD) as a Band. See Attatched List

The descriptors accompanying each Band reflect the student's fitness as at the time of testing. Over time, accumulated test results will reveal a pattern or trend reflecting changing cardiovascular capacity.

Of immediate concern are students in Bands 1 and 2 and students who drop several bands within a term or over the course of several terms. Prolonged sickness will have a negative effect on fitness, as will inactivity and a decrease in lean bodyweight.

Newington has several practical strategies planned to help students improve their cardiovascular capacity, in addition to the educational support inherent in the PDHPE Syllabus.

In some PE lessons specific conditioning sessions will be scheduled for students who need extra help, particularly those in Bands 1 & 2. These will revolve around the use of 'spinning' bikes, they are an excellent 'no impact' method of improving cardiovascular capacity.

All students will be encouraged to further utilise the Weights & Conditioning Room outside class hours.

The College runs general fitness-training sessions before school,
these sessions are available to all students.

Fitness testing and conditioning lessons are inherently affected by a student’s current cardiovascular capacity, general state of health and other influences including pre-existing medical conditions. A list of students who have lodged a medical record with the School Sister is made available to staff implementing testing and conducting PE lessons. If there are other factors that you feel should be considered regarding a student’s physical health or you wish to discuss a particular test result please do not hesitate to contact myself or Mr Cox at the addresses listed below.

Health & Fitness Coordinator - MR SAM CARROLL

Head of PDHPE - MR WAYNE COX

Phone 9568 9398