Health and Physical Education

Common Unit

Health Education

Unit Description

Health Education can be defined as a combination of learning experiences which affect the way students think, feel and act in relation to their wellbeing and that of others. The study of Health and wellbeing is concerned with the relationship between the individual and the physical, socio-cultural, emotional, mental and spiritual constructs in our world. Health Education promotes attitudes, values and behaviours consistent with responsible actions which assist in developing a critical thinking approach towards personal and community health issues.

Studying Health provides a forum in which the reality of a teenager's life and issues of importance to them can be highlighted and given value in their own right. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own actions, and to understand the effect their actions have on themselves and those around them.

Health Education offers experiential learning which provides opportunities for students to critically think and reflect upon a variety of personal and community health issues. It recognises that health is multi-dimensional, dynamic and is influenced by both individual and group decisions.

Health Education respects the dignity, privacy and uniqueness of the individual. It promotes a safe and supportive environment conducive to open discussion and can deal with sensitive issues. Effective learning requires accurate and relevant information processes aimed at developing personal competence and the ongoing guidance of a trusted teacher. 

In Year 7, students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to support them to be resilient and to develop a strong sense of self. Students learn social and emotional skills to build healthy relationships, resilience and confidence. Students also develop health literacy competencies in order to enhance their own and others' health and wellbeing.

The Health Education program aims to promote ways and means to help students live healthier, happier and more productive lives by:

• building student agency by equipping students with the skills to access, synthesise and evaluate health information
• developing health literacy skills to ensure students know how and when to take positive action that protect, enhance and advocate for their own and others’ health and wellbeing.​
• assisting students to develop a greater understanding of themselves and their relationships with others so that a true sense of self may be enhanced
• enabling more effective means of communication
• guiding students in the process of decision-making, especially in relation to their own wellbeing
• encouraging assertive and responsible behaviour patterns and developing a greater appreciation of diversity
• providing a safe and secure environment in which students can discuss personal and community health issues

Areas of Study

Understanding Health

In this introductory Health unit, Year 7 students will explore what it means to be healthy and develop the knowledge and skills needed to support their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. Through interactive activities, discussions and reflective tasks, students will build positive relationships, strengthen their understanding of health, and develop strategies to navigate the challenges of adolescence.

Relationships: Rights and Responsibilities

The Term 2 unit of study, titled Relationships, focuses on helping students understand how to build and maintain positive, respectful relationships across a range of contexts, including friendships, school, and online environments. Students will develop key skills in communication, empathy, consent, and help-seeking, while also learning to identify and respond appropriately to unhealthy or unsafe situations.

The Changing Body: Positive Self Respect and Esteem

In the Changing Body unit, students explore the physical, social and emotional changes humans undergo through puberty. Specifically, there is a focus on the concept of gender identity, and the anatomy and functionality of the male and female reproductive systems.

Students explore the relationship between self-esteem and body image, and the influence of culture, peers, media, and gender stereotypes in establishing perceived body image. Furthermore, students will develop media literacy skills, considering how images in this context are often manipulations of what is observed in usual, everyday life.

Students will be encouraged to consider strategies that enhance their personal perceptions of body image.

Healthy Choices: Informed Decision-making

Students explore issues related to drug taking with specific focus on alcohol, tobacco and vaping. Included in this study is the investigation of why people take drugs, the negative impact and the consequences of drug taking, and aims to dispel the myths associated with alcohol consumption. Students are encouraged to practise assertive behaviour as a protective strategy and will explore the laws associated with drug use and the role the media plays in promoting the use of substances.

Assessment

Assessment Tasks:

• Understanding Health portfolio
• Building positive relationships campaign
• Teen Magazine article
• Healthy Choices campaign design

Physical Education

Unit Description

All students in Year 7 participate in Physical Education classes which are conducted at the Carey Sports Complex at Bulleen, Carey Kew Sports Complex and various offsite locations.

Facilities at Carey Bulleen include:

• Geoffrey Stevens Swimming Pool Complex
• Gerard Cramer Physical Education Centre (a double indoor gym)
• Four all-purpose ovals
• Two soccer/hockey fields

Carey Kew Sports Complex and the Kew campus offer the following facilities:

• Six tennis courts 
• Two bowling greens 
• Macafee Courts (undercover)
• Gym and weights room
• Sandell Oval

Movement is central to Physical Education for acquiring the skills, concepts and strategic awareness required for physical activity participation and enhanced performance. Physical Education concepts are informed by the related individual and team skill development, sociocultural factors and behavioural aspects. Students develop movement competence and confidence in a range of physical activities in a variety of contexts and environments.

In Year 7, students explore the range of factors and movement concepts that influence the quality of movement performances and practise techniques that can be used to enhance their own and others’ performances. Students also learn about the variety of roles required to participate in a range of movement activities.

The course acquaints students with varied activities during the year in an attempt to establish and foster an increase in skill and fitness levels, whilst enhancing self-confidence and motivation. Personal responsibility is developed throughout the units, as is co-operation and the belief that physical activity should be a life-long commitment. The development of social skills and sportsmanship are encouraged.

Students participate in various themed units:

• Invasion
• Striking and Fielding
• Net and Wall
• Aquatics 
• Advanced Movement Skills - Gymnastics and Athletics
• Round Robin Competition

 

Assessment

The assessment of each unit is based on the following criteria:

• Teamwork: Value working in a team and contribute by leading others and displaying initiative. Provide respectful and constructive feedback and express your thoughts in a variety of ways.

• Decision-making: Reflect on your own learning and experiment and explore ways to be effective in game play. Consider feedback and how it can be implemented for improved performance.

• Skill execution: Individual performance and understanding of the strategies required for achieving successful outcomes within specific themes including striking, throwing, kicking, catching, positioning, defending, use of space.

• Participation: Independently seeking new challenges and roles in a practical setting. Engage with all components of the units and the challenges it presented.