Science

Junior Health and Physical Education Health and Physical Education has continued its focus this year on students engaging, developing and advocating for their own and others' health. The Junior students have been encouraged to take positive action to protect and enhance their own and others’ health, wellbeing and safety through the design and development of nutritional health plans, personal fitness programs, emergency response scenarios, assertive relationships and alcohol and drug action plans. This was also demonstrated through the emphasis on regular movement-based learning experiences to understand and appreciate the significance to personal, social, cultural, environmental and health practices and outcomes. In 2020 we introduced workbooks for Year 7, an initiative that has seen greater levels of engagement and learning taking place. We look forward to the continued use of these resources in 2021.

VET - Certificate III in Fitness and Certificate III in Sport and Recreation 2020 saw the continued popularity of the Certificate III in Sport and Recreation and Certificate III in Fitness courses, which we run in conjunction with our partner Binnacle. The interest in these courses was immense, with two Fitness classes and one Sport and Recreation class being filled to capacity. The students engaged in many learning activities to work towards successful completion of the course and gain the valuable Certificate III qualification, which will aid the students in gaining employment in these industries post school.

Senior Physical Education Curriculum 2020 saw the continuation of the new Senior Physical Education and Sport and Recreation courses. One exciting addition to the Faculty this year was the upgrade to the School Gymnasium, with nearly $30,000 worth of new equipment being installed and more scheduled for 2021. This year will mark the first cohort of students to graduate under the ATAR system. Students in both senior courses had a very disrupted year with the COVID-19 interruptions causing assessment items to be removed and online learning taking place. Despite these challenges, the students adjusted well and worked extremely hard to prepare themselves for the external exams. These highstakes exams accounted for 25% of a student’s final grade and required the students to demonstrate high levels of knowledge, analysis, evaluation and justification skills.

Matthew Johnson | Faculty Leader – Health and Physical Education