Monday 10 June, 2019
How today’s Health and Physical Education curriculum takes a holistic approach to learning
Teachers within Dio’s Health and Physical Education faculty are inspiring students to set personal goals to grow and be the best that they can be.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Nelson Mandela

With topics ranging from health science and psychology to life skills, sociology in sport, well-being, sports science and emotional resilience, teachers within Dio’s Health and Physical Education faculty are inspiring students to set personal goals to grow and be the best that they can be.

Gone are the days when PE was simply about running around a field or playing games; today’s Health and Physical Education curriculum takes a holistic approach, taking into account all of an individual’s needs from physical to emotional, social and cognitive.
Real world experiences are introduced in the classroom to make learning meaningful. Students take classes at Les Mills, participate in events and hear from experts within specialised medical fields. Scholarship students attend supplementary sessions with the University of Auckland, Unitec and the Millennium Institute of Sport to deepen their knowledge as they develop an analytical report on a relevant and current debate related to health and physical activity.

Every year level has a different theme and activities. In the Junior High School (years 7 to 10) Health & Physical Education remains a compulsory subject for all students. Learning areas are focused on taking purposeful action to enhance well-being for themselves, others and society via exploring movement, sports and health science related contexts.
In the Senior School, the curriculum follows two streams: Health Science & Psychology; and Sport & Exercise Science. The subject remains compulsory for all students in Year 11, before moving to an elective in years 12 and 13. Specific topics continue to be covered for all year 12 students, with classes in life skills, career development, keeping ourselves safe and wellbeing. Subjects range from how to transition from living at home into a flatting situation, nutrition, prevention of violence against women and well-being.

HEALTH SCIENCE & PSYCHOLOGY

“The purpose of psychology is to give us a completely different idea of the things we know best”. Paul Valery
Psychology is a new topic that has been integrated into the senior curriculum. NCEA achievement standards were introduced in 2017 and it became an approved university subject in 2019. By combining it into the health curriculum, Diocesan is creating more future focused pathways to connect students with potential areas of university study. The Health Science & Psychology course involves students developing a greater understanding of relevant issues that many face in today’s society. It covers areas such as health practices used to treat depression, addiction, fertility issues and why humans may behave the way they do, as well as providing the opportunity to create solutions and help advocate for change.

SPORT & EXERCISE SCIENCE

Sport & Exercise Science is for students who have an interest in learning in, through and about the body and movement. This course incorporates the traditional health science disciplines of anatomical, biomechanical and physiological principles, whilst also addressing exercise trends, issues of sport and training programmes. It helps to prepare Dio girls for a world where many millions of people are physically inactive and afflicted by chronic disease and ill health, and exercise is prescribed to improve health and well-being.

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