Health and Physical Education
The below units are available for Senior School students interested in studying Health and Physical Education.
Level A
Level B
Level C
Level D
Level E
Level A
HPA13: The Bare Necessities
This unit explores changes and challenges that students experience during their early years of secondary education, both physically and emotionally. Some of the areas of study will include: relationships, lifestyle diseases, puberty and mental health. There is also a physical activity component which will give the students opportunities to develop their Fundamental Motor Skills through minor games, Swimming techniques and their ability to work as part of a team.
HPA15: Wide World of Sports
This unit introduces students to the sporting world from a global perspective. Students are given the chance to discover the story of the Olympics and delve into what it is that makes sport so entrenched in cultures the world over. Students will investigate the common bonds that tie cultures to sport and the role sponsorship plays in the survival or demise of sport. Each week, during the practical class, students will experience a different not so commonly played sport.
Level B
HPB11: Bushwhacked
This unit has a strong outdoor education focus. The theoretical areas that are studied include risk assessments during outdoor activities, the importance of spending time in nature, and a physical performance analysis. Practical classes include theory and skill development in the following areas; Orienteering, Rock Climbing, Mountain biking, Swimming and Canoeing. Bushwhacked has strong participation and teamwork components where students should be prepared to be fully involved both in and outside the classroom.
HPB15: Mind Body and Soul
This unit promotes a positive and healthy lifestyle relating to the students’ mind, body and soul. Using the resources of the World Health Organisation, this subject is based on the notion that a healthy body leads to a healthy state of mind. Specifically, students learn about themselves and where they fit in this world. They investigate how to build resilience and how to develop acceptance as a natural part of their lives. They look at how to stay healthy physically and mentally through activity and nutrition. In the practical setting students learn about Tai Chi, meditation, yoga, as well as many more main stream activities like circuit classes, badminton, table tennis and minor games.
HPB16: Fit for Life
Fit For Life builds students’ ability to understand themselves and others within a diverse and changing world. This unit explores physical, social and emotional challenges relating to adolescence, with a focus on understanding themselves and others in relation to sexual health, gender, respect and relationships. Students develop an understanding of consent laws and sexual assault, in order to promote awareness around healthy relationships. Students build their capacity in applying mental health first aid to their peers, as well as physical first aid. Through both theory and practical Physical Education classes, students have an opportunity to develop leadership skills with a focus on building opportunities for collaboration, communication and critical thinking. Activities can include mountain biking, bush cooking, team building activities and other physical challenges.
Level C
HPC12: Huff and Puff
This unit is designed to develop an understanding of the role of nutrition, sport science and training programs in ensuring athletes are performing at their peak. Students will be involved in writing training programs, analysing their nutritional choices and understanding how energy is produced by muscles. This will empower them to become better at making healthy and active decisions for themselves and others around them. The practical sessions in this course involve vigorous activities both at school and around the Geelong region. Students are required participate in high level intensity activities such as water aerobics, boxercise and strength training. This unit is ideal for students considering studying VCE PE or IB Sport Science but beneficial for all students interested in health, fitness and/or sports performance.
HPC13: Life’s Essentials
Life’s Essentials explores issues to do with the transition into adolescence. Independence, identity, sexuality and relationships, substance use and abuse as well as mental health problems are investigated. Students devise harm minimization strategies appropriate to the risks they identify. A four week Basic First Aid course is also completed at the beginning of the semester with students required to recognize common first aid injuries and illnesses and have the knowledge and skills to treat them appropriately. The practical component of the subject focuses on team building and initiative, fitness, football codes, korfball, ultimate Frisbee, golf and table tennis.
HPC14: A Drop in the Ocean
A Drop in the Ocean caters for students with a specific interest in water and water based activities. The practical sessions will be held in the Goodfellow Aquatic Centre where students will: learn how to play underwater hockey and water polo; have the opportunity to learn the basics of SCUBA diving and snorkelling as well as underwater photography; and also learn about water safety. Theory sessions will include the basic rules of underwater hockey and water polo; the theoretical component of SCUBA diving; students will have a chance to explore the role of fresh water in our society; they will investigate water activities that humans can participate in; they will study the ocean and how we interact with it; and will look at the oceans from a sustainability perspective to see how we can preserve and protect for future generations.
Level D
HPD10: A Healthy Balance
A Healthy Balance aims to give students lifelong practices that will enable them to live healthy lives. They undertake a process to assess their current levels of health and find areas that can be improved. Students study their local community to see opportunities to be healthy physically, socially and mentally active. They also discover how responsible decision making can have an impact on their health and wellbeing. This is done through the topics of road safety & nutrition. The practical component of this unit focuses on activities that can be carried through to adulthood such as frisbee golf, dragon boating, racquetball or lawn bowls. This unit is great for students who are considering studying Health and Human Development in VCE.
HPD15: Just Do It! Coach!
This level D health and physical education unit is designed to provide keen and able students with the opportunity to learn the theoretical requirements needed to coach. Leadership skills, sports coaching styles and applications of sports medicine provide the major focus of this study. Students gain hands-on experience with the evaluation and the implementation of coaching styles and techniques. The unit culminates at the Junior School of the College where senior students coach young children under the supervision of the subject teacher.
Level E
HPE11: Beyond the Basics
This unit provides students with basic knowledge in areas that are studied in VCE Physical Education. Areas that are studied include: anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and skill acquisition. The practical sessions include laboratories and activities where theoretical concepts are reinforced.
Offered in Semester 2 only
HPE14: Just For the Health of It
Students gain an insight into the health of Australians as well as those who live globally. They identify issues that impact on the health and wellbeing of populations world wide. Students will have the opportunity to explore Australia’s aid and health care system and compare it to that of low income countries. A particular focus is given to exploring early childhood health and nutrition. Overall, an exciting unit that prepares students for VCE Health & Human Development.
Offered in Semester 2 only
