1. PDHPE RATIONALE
One of the aims of physical education is to enable students
to develop positive attitudes towards physical activity and
lifelong habits of participation. The initial physical activity
experiences which the child has at school will impact
significantly on attitudes and practices in later life. Hence we
need to ensure that the experiences in physical activity at
school are positive in order to achieve this aim.

2. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND THE SYLLABUS
o Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
makes a unique contribution to the total school curriculum in that it is
directly concerned with supporting the development of the student as
a whole person. PDHPE is an important key learning area within the
primary curriculum as it promotes physical activity to encourage
physical, social and emotional growth of all students, supports the
acquisition of essential movement skills and nurtures positive
attitudes towards lifelong healthy and active lifestyles.

3. ACTIVE LIFESTYLE
 Active Lifestyle is concerned with students adopting activity patterns
that promote their wellbeing. In this strand, students have the
opportunity to examine the components of a balanced lifestyle,
explore options for recreation and develop the skills and attitudes
necessary for an active lifestyle.

4. GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
o Involves developing each student’s
understanding of their own
physical, social, cognitive and
emotional development in the
context of increasing awareness of
changes that occur throughout the
cycle of people’s lives. Students
participate in activities that
increase their confidence and
competence to manage change.

5. PERSONAL HEALTH CHOICES
o Examines the process of
making lifestyle decisions
and putting them into
practice. This strand
considers the personal
health decisions that
students make about their
lives relating to nutrition,
hygiene, consumerism, drug
use, the environment and
disease prevention.

6. SAFE LIVING
o Is concerned with the protection of
individuals through the promotion of
safe environments and practices. This
strand focuses on developing in
students a commitment and an ability
to act in ways that will keep themselves
and others safe from harm.