PDHPE is vital in primary schools, it is a key learning area in

the development of students social, mental, physical and

spiritual health.
The NSW PDHPE K-6 Syllabus provides teachers with the
Curriculum framework to implement teaching programs to
instil the necessary knowledge, understanding, skills, values
and attitudes into students. This provides students the
opportunity to live a healthy lifestyle (Board of Studies, 2007).
There are some major issues in Australia effecting childrens health, these
include:
Child obesity , drugs, bullying and injury and deaths related to road
safety, some alarming statistics supporting this are:
One in four Year 4 to Year 9 Australian students (27%) experience
frequent school bullying and up to 32% of when in Year 5. (Cross et al.,
2009)
In 2011-12, around a quarter of all Australian children aged 5-17 years
(24% of boys and 27% of girls) were either overweight or obese
(Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013).
In 2010, 1 in 10 (8.8%) teenagers aged 1217 years had used cannabis,
38.4% of 1217 year olds were drinking alcohol and 3.8% of teenagers
aged 1217 year olds smoked tobacco and 2.5% smoked daily (Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011).
According to Kidsafe (2014) a a child pedestrian is killed every week and
for every child killed another 25 are admitted to hospital. 7,036 children
were admitted to hospital due to transport incidents. Over a third of these
were bike related.
These are fundamental topics outlined in the PHDHPE Syllabus to be taught
by teachers at primary schools.
Encourages an understanding and valuing of self
and others
Promotes physical activity
Emphasises informed decision making leading to
effective and responsible action
Using the K-6 Syllabus teachers can develop
students Values and attitudes, skills and knowledge
of PDHPE in key learning areas
As a result it builds self esteem while developing
skills in cooperation, teamwork and sportsmanship

While primary schools teach the fundamentals of PDHPE
the rest of society must also take responsibility for
improving the health of students (Board of Studies, 2007).
School the main place where it is taught teachers using
the NSW K-6 Syllabus
Home where homework can be done. Additionally
parents in conjunction with teachers can expand or practice
skills learnt at school
Sporting Clubs Facilitate the education in specific areas
e.g. AFL, Cricket, Netball
Online There are many websites providing PDHPE
information and interactive tools including content on
healthy eating, and sporting activities.
The Board of Studies (2014) recommends 1.5 to 2.5 hours per week should be
allocated to PDHPE, that is only 6% to 10% of the school week.
However only 30% of public primary schools abide by the recommended hours
(NSW PA Audit as cited in Curry, 2013).
It is recommended that children 6- 17 years of age require 60 minutes a day of
physical activity for healthy living (Centers for Disease control and prevention,
2011; Healthy Kids, 2014). This fact alone advocates why PDHPE should be taught
in primary schools.
While there is an element of physical activity incorporated into PDHPE it is clear
that there is not enough time during school hours.
This is where parents can implement the school program and support their childs
learning outside the school environment (Board of Studies, 2007).
PDHPE can be incorporated into homework after school (either online or physical
practice) and on weekends by being involved in a sporting club such as AFL,
Cricket or Netball also by going for a walk, jog or riding a bike.

Students and Teachers are required participate in PDHPE,
however, it should be implemented in a way that is engaging to
encourage participation. Additional training and resources may be
provided to teachers to make PDHPE interesting, interactive and
fun for students while they learn.

Parents should also be involved in this process as the partnership
between the school and the home will be most productive when
both contribute in a consistent manner to the childs development
of positive health behaviours and attitudes (Board of Studies,
2007).

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2011). 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey
report. Drug statistics series no. 25. Cat. no. PHE 145. Canberra: AIHW.

Board of Studies. (2007) Personal Development, Health and Physical Education K-6 Syllabus.
Retrieved from http://k6.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). How much physical activity do children need.
Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity /everyone/guidelines
/children.html

Cross, D., Shaw, T., Hearn, L., Epstein, M., Monks, H., Lester, L., & Thomas, L. (2009). Australian
covert bullying prevalence study. Perth: Child Health Promotion Research Centre, Edith
Cowan University.

Curry, C. (2013) A minimum of 2 hours of fun and effective physical activity is a must each week
in schools. 21
st
Century Learning. University of Western Sydney. Retrieved from
http://learning21c.wordpress.com/ 2013/08/26/a-minimum-of-2-hours-of-fun-
and-effective-physical-activity-is-a-must-each-week-in-schools/

Healthy Kids. (2014). Guidelines and recommendations. Retrieved from
http://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/kids-teens/stats-and-facts-teens/teens-
physical-activity/guidelines-and-recommendations.aspx

Kidsafe. (2014). Pedestrian Safety. Retrieved from http://www.kidsafeact.com.au
/Default.aspx?PageID=1161887&A=SearchResult&SearchID=6157772
&ObjectID=1161887&ObjectType=1