PDHPE (Personal Development, Health and Physical Education) is an important subject in primary schools that promotes healthy lifestyles and relationships. However, it only receives 2 hours of classroom time per week. Data shows that many Australian children are overweight and underactive, and do not eat enough vegetables. PDHPE allows students to develop skills and knowledge for lifelong health, fitness, and relationships through topics like physical activity, nutrition, and interpersonal communication.

1. PDHPE in Primary
Schools
Interpersonal Relationships, Growth & Development, Games & Sport,
Gymnastics, Dance, Active Lifestyle, Personal Health Choices, Safe
living

2. Let’s look at the facts………
▪ PDHPE is one of the six key learning areas, however only 2 hours a
week is dedicated to PDHPE in the classroom
▪ In 2010, 30% of boys and 24% of girls inYear 6 were considered
overweight and obese (NSW HEALTH NSW Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (SPANS) 2010)
▪ Less then 40% of year 6 boys and girls eat less than the
recommended serves of vegetables in a day (SPANS, 2010)
▪ For health benefits, children aged 5–12 years should accumulate at
least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity
every day. (Department of Health, 2014)

3. Benefits of PDHPE to students
▪ Allows students to develop the knowledge and skills
needed to lead healthy and active lifestyles
▪ Students learn about how their bodies grow and change
over time
▪ Students learn and develop skills to play individual and
team sports, and the values of fair play and teamwork

4. Understanding of self and others
▪ Allows students to develop communication skills
individually and within teams
▪ Allows development of teamwork skills
▪ Gives students the opportunity to explore their identity,
feelings and values within a safe environment
▪ Develop and maintain positive relationships within the
school, home and community environment

5. Promotes physical activity
▪ Allows students to develop their fundamental movement
skills
▪ Promotes physical activity now, so they are more likely to
continue this as they get older
▪ Allows students to recognise the health benefits of regular
physical activity. (i.e. a decrease in chronic health
conditions such as obesity and diabetes)
▪ “can be enjoyable, creative and social outlet that has the
potential to build self-esteem” (PDHPE Syllabus, 2006)

6. Encourages students to make informed decisions
▪ Provides students with information to allow them to make informed
decisions
▪ Allows students to understand the consequences of the decisions
they make and how it effects them and the people around them.
▪ Allows students to take responsibility for the healthy or unhealthy
choices they make in their life

7. References
Board of Studies (2006) Personal development, health and physical
education K-6 syllabus. NSW: Board of Studies
Department of Health (2014) Does your child get 60 minutes of physical
activity every day? Commonwealth if Australia
NSW Ministry of Health (2011) NSW Schools Physical Activity and
Nutrition Survey (SPANS): Short Report 2010. NSW Ministry of
Health