The document discusses the importance of PDHPE (Personal Development, Health and Physical Education) through the story of Arthur Borman, a veteran who was injured in the Gulf War. Through practicing yoga, Borman lost 63kg in 10 months and can now walk and run independently. This shows how being physically fit improves wellbeing, as the PDHPE syllabus aims to develop students' health knowledge and skills. PDHPE is important as it encourages self-understanding, promotes physical activity, and teaches informed decision making.

1. The Importance of PDHPE
Price, T. (2013). Old Tennis Shoes and Change. IMAGE Retrieved October 4th, 2013, from http://www.harvestministryteams.com/blog/2013/04/old-tennisshoes-and-change/

2. To introduce my viewers to the discussion of the importance of PDHPE, I would first like to tell the
story of Arthur Borman. Mr. Borman is a retired paratrooper who was “injured during the Gulf
War”(Wellman, 2012), and after “a botched surgery”(Wellman, 2012) that left Mr. Borman
immobilised; Mr. Borman required the assistance of leg braces and a cane to walk (which can be seen
in the above picture). Mr. Borman found a form of yoga called DPP yoga and from this Mr. Borman as
suggested by Victoria Wellman (2012) “lost a staggering 140lbs (63kg) in just 10 months”, and is now
able to walk independently from leg braces and a walking stick- more importantly Mr. Borman is able
to now run. As suggested by Tara Kelly(2012), “according to CareForVets.org, yoga is also being used
to help treat post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among war veterans who've served in Afghanistan
and in Iraq”.
The video of this transformation can be seen by clicking on the image of Mr. Borman.

3. The Importance of PDHPE
Mr.Borman is a great example of how being
physically fit has improved “mental, physical,
social and spiritual wellbeing" as stated by the
Personal Development, Health and Physical
Education K-6 (2007, p. 5). The Aim of PDHPE is
to “develop the student’s knowledge,
understandings and practical skills that lead to
better health”(2007, p. P.6).
PDHPE is an important part of school life because it
can:
• Encourage an understanding and importance of
value of self and others.
• Promotes physical activity.
• Emphasises informed decision-making leading to
effective and responsible action.
Peters, A. (2013). Tread Lightly: New Life for Worn-Out Shoes. IMAGE Retrieved October 4th, 2013, from http://www.good.is/posts/tread-lightlynew-life-for-worn-out-shoes

4. Syllabus
•
The Personal Development, Health and
Physical Education K-6 (2007) states that
“the aim of PDHPE syllabus is to develop in
each student the knowledge and
understanding, skills and values and
attitudes needed to lead healthy, active and
fulfilling lives” (p.6). Part of the attitude that
I can develop into my students is to “never
ever give up”(Dallas, 2012) on themselves,
and to always have the integrity to pursue
their goals, even in the face of adversity, as
seen in the YouTube video of Arthur Borman
that suggests that he feel this many times,
but he never gave up on himself. This is my
year 5 Pugs class motto; ‘Never Give Up’.
Runner, T. C. (2012). How Long Do Running Shoes Last? IMAGE Retrieved October 4th, 2013, from
http://www.thecompleterunner.com/2012/03/31/how-long-do-running-shoes-last/

5. The Values and attitude gained from
PDHPE
The Personal Development, Health and
Physical Education K-6 Syllabus (2007)
suggests that Students will gain from
PDHPE:
•
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V1 a sense of their own worth and
dignity.
V2 an understanding about respecting
the rights of others who hold different
values and attitudes from their own.
V3 will develop a sense of belonging.
V4 increased acceptance of
responsibility for personal and
community health.
V5 a willingness to participate in
regular physical activity;
V6 a commitment to realising their full
potential.
Peters, A. (2013). Tread Lightly: New Life for Worn-Out Shoes. IMAGE Retrieved October 4th, 2013, from http://www.good.is/posts/treadlightly-new-life-for-worn-out-shoes

6. The skills that are developed in PDHPE
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•
•
•
•
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As stated by The Personal
Development, Health and Physical
Education K-6 Syllabus(2007)there are
five essential skills that students gain
from PDHPE:
Communicating
Decision Making
Interacting
Moving
Problem Solving
Fitness, D. W. (2010). Calculate How Long Your Running Shoes Should Last. IMAGE Retrieved Ocotber 4th, 2013, from
http://www.daveywaveyfitness.com/tips/calculate-how-long-your-running-shoes-should-last

7. To view the PDHPE
syllabus please click here

8. References:
Balasa, V. (2012). Image of "Chess board and quote "Never Give Up". Never Give Up Quotes! If
you are going through hell, keep going! Retrieved 28 September, 2013, from
http://victorstuff.com/never-give-up-quotes-if-you-are-going-through-hell-keep-going
Dallas, D. (2012). Never, Ever Give Up. Arthur's Inspirational Transformation! Retrieved 25
September, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448
Fitness, D. W. (2010). Calculate How Long Your Running Shoes Should Last. IMAGE Retrieved
Ocotber 4th, 2013, from http://www.daveywaveyfitness.com/tips/calculate-how-long-yourrunning-shoes-should-last
Kelly, T. (2012). Arthur Boorman, Disabled Veteran, Walks Again After Discovering Yoga (VIDEO)
Retrieved 28 September, 2013, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/04/arthurboorman-veteran-walks-again-yoga_n_1478847.html
Ministries, P. t. v. (2010). Running The Race. IMAGE Retrieved October 4th, 2013, from
http://pastorrickmora.wordpress.com/author/pathwaytovictory/page/2/
Peters, A. (2013). Tread Lightly: New Life for Worn-Out Shoes. IMAGE Retrieved October 4th,
2013, from http://www.good.is/posts/tread-lightly-new-life-for-worn-out-shoes
Price, T. (2013). Old Tennis Shoes and Change. IMAGE Retrieved October 4th, 2013, from
http://www.harvestministryteams.com/blog/2013/04/old-tennis-shoes-and-change/
Runner, T. C. (2012). How Long Do Running Shoes Last? IMAGE Retrieved October 4th, 2013,
from http://www.thecompleterunner.com/2012/03/31/how-long-do-running-shoes-last/
Wales, B. o. S. N. S. (2007). Personal Development, Health and Physical Education K-6 Syllabus.
Sydney, Australia.
Wellman, V. (2012). "Fighting fit: Hero soldier who became obese after Gulf War injury loses
140lbs in TEN months - thanks to yoga" Retrieved 28 September, 2013, from
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2142617/How-obese-disabled-man-lost-140lbsTEN-months-ran--thanks-yoga.html