2. Why study PDHPE?
Personal Development, Health and Physical
Education (PDHPE) develops the knowledge,
skills and attitudes students need to lead
healthy, active and fulfilling lives. Students
learn about the importance of good food
and regular exercise and develop positive
attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle (Board
of Studies NSW, 2015).
3. What is Game Sense?
The Game Sense Approach is divided into 4 categories.
Some examples of the games are shown in the table.
Game Sense is a student focused approach to teaching PE. Using modified games to teach
movement and technical skills, students are engaged and actively involved in their learning.
This table shows clearly the differences between a
traditional model of teaching PE and a Game Sense or
Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) model. The
TGfU model offers a more comprehensive physical
education where students are participating in rich and
authentic game experiences to improve their skills, in
many aspects of the NSW PDHPE Syllabus.
4. Benefits of using a Game Sense Approach
The Game Sense Approach allows students to be more actively involved in their physical
education learning. This directly leads to higher levels of student engagement, participation,
enjoyment and motivation (Pill, 2016).
Australian Sports Commission, n.d. Bunker & Thorpe, 1982, as cited in Towns, 2002
This is a Teaching Games for
Understanding (TGfU) Model created
by Bunker and Thorpe. TGfU is
known as Game Sense in Australia.
This model clearly shows the learner
as the integral part of the process
and that game play, incorporating
skill execution and decision making
is essential in the Game Sense
approach.
5. How does this link to the NSW PDHPE Syllabus?
In Stage One, one of our outcomes is GSS1.8-
Performs fundamental movement skills with equipment
in minor games.
• Participates in a range of minor games and practices that
assist skill development.
By using the Game Sense approach, students are supported
and scaffolded by their teacher and peers. Students develop
their skills through game play to be able to confidently
participate in many different forms of games.
6. What does a PE lesson in 2G look like?
This is a lesson that our class
will be participating in this year.
As you can see, the game
Kangaroo incorporates lots of
movement, including
fundamental movement skills, is
fun and is an activity that is
achievable for all students in the
class.
7. What does a PE lesson in 2G look like continued..
Here is a video of a class
participating in a fun game of Beat
the Ball. This is a game that we may
implement toward the end of the
year in our PE class. You can see
how much the students are enjoying
the activity and are engaged,
constantly moving and are learning
important movement and technical
skills.
Australian Sports Commission, 2012
8. A final note
So Parents/ Guardians, if you have any further questions about the Game Sense
approach, about our PE lessons in general, or if you want to be involved in the
lessons, please do not hesitate to contact me.
2G’s PE lessons will be educational, beneficial, will teach students fundamental
movement skills and most importantly, be a whole lot of fun.
9. ReferencesAustralian Sports Commission. (2012, November 13). Beat the ball – playing for life activity cards. [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcQ1lQEloMY
Australian Sports Commission. (n.d.). Sporting schools- game sense approach. Retrieved from https://sportingschools.gov.au/resources-and-pd/schools/playing-
for-life-resources/game-sense-approach
Australian Sports Commission. (2008). Yulunga traditional indigenous games. Retrieved
fromhttps://vuws.westernsydney.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/contentWrapper.jsp?content_id=_2987047_1&displayName=Linked+File&navItem=content
&attachment=true&course_id=_23390_1&tab_group=courses&href=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fyaxyp2ur
Board of Studies, NSW. (2007). Personal Development, Health and Physical Education K‐6 Syllabus. Sydney, NSW: Board of Studies NSW.
Board of Studies, NSW, (2015). Parent guide to the nsw primary syllabuses. Retrieved from http://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/wcm/connect/25cb2fe5-
c5f4-4ce8-920c-6b4b108bb30a/parents-guide-2015.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=
Pill, S. (2016). An appreciative inquiry exploring game sense teaching in physical education. Sport, Education and Society, 21(2), 279-297. Retrieved from
http://www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au/doi/pdf/10.1080/13573322.2014.912624?needAccess=true
Towns, J. (2002). About game sense. Retrieved from https://vuws.westernsydney.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-2927199-dt-content-rid-
23734215_1/courses/102072_2017_2h/Games%20Sense%20Supplemental%20Reading.pdf
