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PDHPE
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) at Pymble this year looked very different to previous years. Maintaining a healthy balanced lifestyle became even more important and innovative approaches to keeping students active while maintaining social distancing saw the emergence of the skipping craze.
Year 7 girls enjoyed developing movement and interpersonal skills through participation in a wide range of physical activities, including touch football, basketball, netball, cricket and swimming. Year 8 girls engaged in activities to promote the health and wellbeing of young people, choreographed dynamic dance routines and created action plans for inclusivity. Year 9 Physical Activity Sport Studies (PASS) girls completed their Community Coaching course and applied the skills they learned to help coach Year 7 students in basketball. Year 10 PASS girls investigated the application of technology in sport and developed tactical awareness in football and flag football. Year 10 girls engaged in a variety of movement contexts to promote inclusiveness, lifelong physical activity and mental wellbeing. They participated in sports and modified games, developing teamwork, creativity and co-ordination; these included yoga, goalball, orienteering and fitness circuits. Year 12 girls displayed great commitment and collegiality to successfully complete their HSC course. This was a commendable effort, especially in the face of adversity having to transition to and from online learning.
PDHPE Captains’ Initiatives
With a large emphasis on physical activity during the COVID-19 lockdown, especially with the incredible online fitness classes with Jack and Jules, we decided to complement that by creating some smoothie recipes to send out to students. An equally important aspect of staying healthy is eating the correct nutritious foods that will help maximise a student’s health and wellbeing.
Pymble also engaged in supporting Alex (AJ) Richter through the Ride with Richter fitness challenge, where girls could choose to ride, run, row or walk to raise money. As PDHPE Captains, we were privileged to be able to participate and actively promote this great cause to help AJ regain his independence.
5 Ways to Wellbeing
PDHPE continued to focus on the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’. Year 8 enjoyed designing and engaging in activities to practise how to Stay Connected, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give Back. Year 8 students participated in the annual Wellbeing Day, which included sessions on nutrition, physical activity and the creation of glitter jars.
Life Saving
Year 9 developed valuable water safety and lifesaving skills in pursuit of the iconic Royal Life Saving Bronze Medallion. Students became equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond appropriately in aquatic emergency situations. They demonstrated highly developed decision-making skills, successfully performing a wide range of rescues and basic first aid.
Xtreme Challenge
Year 10 PASS students applied the planning and management skills they had refined over the year to collaboratively design and lead a fun and challenging obstacle course at the College. Students displayed their strong physical and mental abilities as they worked together to conquer the obstacles. A fun and enjoyable way to end the year!
First Aid Incursion
Year 11 developed and applied valuable first aid skills to emergency situations as part of a First Aid course. Students became equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond appropriately in emergency situations and demonstrated highly developed decision-making skills, successfully performing a wide range of first aid skills. Shivani Mehta and Monique Hore, Captains of PDHPE
