Personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE) is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.
According to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), students are expected to participate in PDHPE for between 1.5 and 2.5 hours per week in Kindergarten to Year 6 and for 300 hours per year in Years 7 to 10.
PDHPE provides students with opportunities to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others – now and in the future. Students also participate in challenging and enjoyable physical activity, improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence.
Sports
Rivendell School staff program and deliver Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) to years 7 – 10 students.
This contributes to a greater understanding of self and identity, relationships, healthy lifestyles and how to make safe choices. This inspires students to make lifelong physical activity a habit, in connection with their local recreational clubs and facilities.
The physical education (PE) component consisted of students participating in, and developing skills in hockey, soccer, touch football, athletics and Australian Rules Football. Students have attended PE excursions, such as when they went to Coogee Beach where they participated in a beach volleyball skill development workshop and other beach games.
In the past, all students across the school participated in the Premier’s Sporting Challenge which enhanced their understanding of the benefits of exercise for the mind and body.
In 2015, the weekly sports award was introduced, recognising student sportsmanship, participation, effort, and enthusiasm. This has resulted in an increase of students authentically participating and feeling acknowledged during PE. As part of Rivendell’s commitment to connecting with community, an AFL workshop in collaboration with the Sydney Swans football team is hosted, linking students to a club and encouraging them to connect with their local AFL teams and clubs at a grassroots level.
In Year 11 and 12, courses available include:
- Community and Family Studies
- Community and Family Studies Life Skills
- Exploring Early Childhood
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Life Skills
- Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies.