PDHPE is one of the six key learning areas in the NSW primary curriculum. It focuses on encouraging students to make informed decisions about health and physical activity by providing them with knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to lead a healthy lifestyle. PDHPE is important as it promotes understanding of self and others, lifelong physical activity, and the ability to make informed life decisions. The subject engages students by teaching healthy habits, how the body changes over time, and team sports skills and sportsmanship. PDHPE lessons should be taught from early stages through to stage 3, blending topics across different school subjects.

2. What is PDHPE?
PDHPE is one of the six key learning areas in the NSW
primary curriculum. It plays a fundamental role in the
students’ development and growth. The program
focuses on encouraging students to make informed
decisions related to health and physical activities by
enabling students the knowledge and skills, values and
attitudes that will enable them to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Students learn and demonstrate understanding in a
variety of topics including the body, the environment,
nutrition, relationships, personal Identity and safe living.
PDHPE K-6 Syllabus, board of studies, 2007

3. Why is PDHPE important?
PDHPE is an important KLA for students and the
community.
It encourages an understanding and valuing of self
and others
Promotes lifelong involvement in physical activity
Develops student’s ability to make informed
decisions in their lives
PDHPE K-6 Syllabus, board of studies, 2007

4. How does PDHPE engage the
students?
By teaching students about healthy eating habits
and regular exercise
By teaching students how their bodies grow and
change over time
By teaching students with skills to play in team
sports and values of sportsmanship and
teamwork
PDHPE K-6 Syllabus, board of studies, 2007

5. When should we teach
PDHPE?
There are 8 required strands of skills and knowledge to
teach from early stages to stage 3
Teachers need to understand the outcomes of each skills
and strands and blend PDHPE lessons across all KLAs
For PE, Students requires a minimum of 60 minutes of
physical activity each day (Department of Health and Ageing, 2010)
For PDH, students need to learn decision making skills in
real-life contexts and adopt behavioral rehearsal
strategies guided by lesson plans and school programs.

6. References:
•
Board of studies, (2007). Personal Development Health and Physical
Education K-6 Syllabus. Sydney: Board of Studies. Retrieved 10th of
October 2013
from:http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/pdhpe
/syllabus/:
•
Department of Health and Ageing (2010). Physical Activity Guideline.
Retrieved 10th of October, 2013 from:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/healthpubhlth-strateg-phys-act-guidelines