Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

The Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) staff at St. Paul's contribute significantly to the cognitive, social, emotional and physical development of the students. We provide opportunities for students to learn about, and practice methods of adopting and maintaining a healthy, productive and active life. We utilise our varied facilities at St. Paul's to provide for unique learning experiences that are both challenging and enjoyable, while at all times being mindful of improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence in a variety of contexts.

The PDHPE staff aims to develop 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. This is delivered through the mandatory Stage 4 and Stage 5 PDHPE curriculum. All students have the opportunity to extend their studies in PDHPE by electing to do

  • Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS) in Year 9 and 10,
  • 2 Unit PDHPE in Years 11 and 12,
  • 1 Unit Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation (SLR) in Years 11 and 12.

These exciting courses provide students with unequalled opportunities to develop their understanding of sports, training, coaching and the physiological and psychological workings of the human body in response to exercise.

Also provided by the PDHPE faculty is the opportunity to study

  • 2 Unit Community and Family Studies (CAFS) in Years 11 and 12, which covers life management skills, community contributions and the ability to identify groups in society
  • 1 Unit Exploring Early Childhood (EEC) in Years 11 and 12, which covers child growth and development from conception to starting school and current early childhood issues

The PDHPE staff at St. Paul's recognise the value of physical fitness and healthy lifestyles. This is our departmental base from which our philosophy, and program develops. We provide 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 thus enhancing their enjoyment and excitement in sport and activity, ultimately increasing the likelihood of lifelong physical activity.