Personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE) is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.
According to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), students are expected to participate in PDHPE for between 1.5 and 2.5 hours per week in Kindergarten to Year 6 and for 300 hours per year in Years 7 to 10.
PDHPE provides students with opportunities to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others – now and in the future. Students also participate in challenging and enjoyable physical activity, improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence.
In Year 11 and 12, courses available include:
- Community and Family Studies
- Community and Family Studies Life Skills
- Exploring Early Childhood
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Life Skills
- Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies.
The School of the Air has many sporting and physical programs for children from prechool to Year 6.
Our School of the Air children participate in an individual program through correspondence which allows them to complete physical activities every day. This can include set activities or simple playing set games with their siblings.
Some families also bring their children into a town to be part of a sporting team. This is usually after school hours. Children from School of the Air have participated in hockey, T-ball, soccer and football.
The children participate in an Whole School PE program which is provided over the satellite system and at mini schools. Some activities they have been exposed to are aerobics, yoga, hip-hop and body combat.
Sports activities and games are also provided at mini Schools, excursions and classrooms. This can range from a game of volleyball in the creek to rock climbing at Narrabeen PE camp.
School of the Air also has an Athletics Carnival and Swimming Carnival held each year.