In an increasingly complex,
sedentary and rapidly changing world it is critical for every young Australian
to not only be able to cope with life’s challenges but also to flourish as
healthy, safe and active citizens in the 21st century. This is a strong
investment in the future of the Australian population.
Technology and media will
continue to transform our lives and change the way we communicate. Some health
issues will endure while new ones will emerge. New forms of physical activity
will become available. Students need critical inquiry skills to research and
analyse knowledge and to understand the influences on their own and others’
health, safety, wellbeing and physical activity participation. They also need
to be resilient, to develop empathy and to be actively engaged in their own and
others’ wellbeing, using health, safety and physical activity resources for the
benefit of themselves and their communities.
In Health and Physical
Education, students develop the skills, knowledge, and understanding to
strengthen their sense of self, and build and manage satisfying, respectful
relationships. They learn to build on personal and community strengths and
assets to enhance safety and wellbeing. They critique and challenge assumptions
and stereotypes. Students learn to navigate a range of health-related sources,
services and organisations.
At the core of Health and
Physical Education is the acquisition of movement skills and concepts to enable
students to participate in a range of physical activities – confidently,
competently and creatively. As a foundation for lifelong physical activity
participation and enhanced performance, students acquire an understanding of
how the body moves and develop positive attitudes towards physical activity
participation. They develop an appreciation of the significance of physical
activity, outdoor recreation and sport in Australian society and globally.
Movement is a powerful medium for learning, through which students can practise
and refine personal, behavioural, social and cognitive skills.
Health and Physical
Education provides students with an experiential curriculum that is
contemporary, relevant, challenging and physically active.
The Australian Curriculum:
Health and Physical Education (F–10) aims to develop the knowledge,
understanding and skills to enable students to:
- access, evaluate and synthesise information to take positive
action to protect, enhance and advocate for their own and others’ health,
wellbeing, safety and physical activity participation across their lifespan
- develop and use personal, behavioural, social and cognitive skills
and strategies to promote a sense of personal identity and wellbeing and to
build and manage respectful relationships
- acquire, apply and evaluate movement skills, concepts and
strategies to respond confidently, competently and creatively in a variety of
physical activity contexts and settings
- engage in and enjoy regular movement-based learning experiences
and understand and appreciate their significance to personal, social, cultural,
environmental and health practices and outcomes
- analyse how varied and changing personal and contextual factors
shape understanding of, and opportunities for, health and physical activity
locally, regionally and globally.