Health and Physical Education

Vocational Education and Training

There were seven certificates on offer for students at Trinity this year:

• Certificate I Engineering • Certificate I Furnishing • Certificate I Sport and Recreation • Certificate II Outdoor Recreation • Certificate II Business • Certificate I IT • Certificate II IT

In total, 64 students from years 10-12 were enrolled in 83 certificates and eight of these students pursued only certificates on offer outside of the school. These numbers are down substantially from last year because of the smaller cohort in year 11 this year. In 2014 this smaller cohort will flow into year 12 and hopefully in 2015 the number of student enrolments will return to previous levels. In fact, the 2015 year 11 students will be the first to begin the new WACE and this will have implications for those graduating in 2016. For those students who pursue a non-ATAR pathway, graduation will require completing at least one Certificate II along with other VET and Endorsed Programmes.

Three students were also part of the SBT (School Based Traineeships) system and were enrolled in Certificate III Electro-technology, Certificate II Business and Certificate II Horticulture. Students participating in a SBT work one day per week and also complete TAFE studies with a great opportunity for employment on finishing the traineeship.

Sixteen students were involved in Workplace Learning (WPL) and the following certificates at TAFE were available to seven of them:

• Certificate II Construction (Building Maintenance) • Certificate II Construction (Mortar Trades) • Certificate II Electro-technology (Pre-App Electrical) • Certificate II Drainage (Plumbing)

In Term 4, five WPL students obtained apprenticeships in the following areas:

• Motor vehicle mechanic • Electrical • Painting • Bricklaying • Carpentry

Mr Peter Jones (’03) Careers Advisor

Matthew Dondas receives the Curtin Principals Recommendation Award

Mr Robert Lee from ECU discussing business courses with Year 12 students Haydn Barron (12.2) and Matthew Evans (12.3)

Roberto Di Giovanni is presented with his Curtin Scholarship by Professor Jill Downie, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) Curtin University

Mr Rod Rainer Head of Health and Physical Education

Obesity continues at the forefront of modern health issues, being responsible for the growing number of deaths linked to lifestyle diseases in the modern world today. To attempt to quantify this in some way, it is estimated that the United States spent $190 billion on obesity-related health care expenses in 2005. Considering Australia is not too far behind in terms of the ’obesity epidemic‘, this is a worrying statistic.

Fat versus Sugar Debate

The latest dietary advice indicates that sugar can have as devastating an effect on our health, as a diet high in fat.

When we eat foodstuffs with a high sugar content, it triggers the release of insulin, the hormone needed to process sugar from our blood into our cells, where it can be used for energy.

“If we eat too much sugar, insulin stores it as fat – hence we gain weight. So these diets reverse the process by banning the sweet stuff.” (Heffernan)

Education is the best way to assist in reversing this trend which, if not arrested, could have major implications for future generations.

At Trinity College the physical education staff is endeavouring to ensure that our students are receiving all the necessary information to make healthy choices through the delivery of our Health and Physical Education program. Physical Education in Years 7–10

The Physical Education program is designed to complement the Sports program at the College. Effective extra training sessions are provided within physical education, with teachers who have expertise in those sports, and this assists the boys to achieve excellence in their chosen sports.

Studies have shown that this develops self-esteem and translates to more effective learning within the classroom. Boys especially benefit from having a very physical learning environment.

The Sport Education unit, conducted during Terms 2 and 3 in Years 7, 8 and 9, encourages collaborative learning and the development of interpersonal skills. In this unit the students conduct their own session and as well as participating, they take on roles such as administration, officiating and coaching. These life skills of assertive behaviour, leadership and cooperation translate into other aspects of their life.

Fitness and Health Education

These units are an extension of the normal Physical Education program. Boys taking part in these units gain a greater understanding of fitness training principles and methods. They are exposed to a greater range of training methods designed to assist the aspiring athlete or those who just want to develop a healthier approach to life.

They also complement material covered in Year 9 Health in relation to fitness profiling. These units provide a working knowledge and practical experiences for the various Physical Education courses offered in Years 11 and 12.

Aquatics

Middle School Aquatics is an elective designed to introduce the students to life around the water. The Year 8 unit is broken into four areas:

1. Stroke Technique – a firm grounding in swimming skills is fundamental to Aquatics. The unit introduces butterfly and refines the skills of the other competitive strokes. 2. Water Polo – the boys are given an understanding of water polo tactical skills as an extension of physical education. 3. Life Saving – the boys are given a strong foundation in life saving skills. 4. Coaching and Management – the students analyse and correct each other’s stroke technique as a basis for the teaching of others in Year 9 Aquatics.

Year 9 Aquatics extends the knowledge of the boys in Stroke Technique and Life Saving, culminating in a Bronze Medallion exam. During 2013, seven students completed their Bronze Medallion award. Congratulations to Max Nicolay (9.4), Fintan O’Hurley (9.3), Daniel Carter (9.3), Nathan Yukich (9.2), Fraser Barns (9.5), Eamon Duncan (9.1), Ethan Lee (9.6) and Luka Azzalini (9.1) for achieving the award. The boys are also given an introduction into the teaching and management of others via a ‘big buddy’ program that has them instructing swimming to the Year 4 or Year 7 boys. Finally, the boys undertake an Aquatic Recreation component, integrating the running and supervision of various aquatic sports.

Health Education

The Year 7 Health program follows a rationale aimed at the students developing self-confidence and growing in mind and body. Throughout the eight week course, students were informed of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle as well as key issues related to bullying, resilience and forming positive relationships. Students thrived on contributing to class discussions focused on the adolescent changes encompassing the five dimensions of health – physical, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual.

Our Year 9 Health curriculum encourages our students to critically examine modern health issues and formulate strategies to combat their impact. Students investigate various lifestyle diseases and are educated in modern dietary and exercise practices which should arm them to confront the all too common complications associated with a sedentary adult life.

An important component of the Personal Development and Wellbeing program in Year 10 is the Keys for Life pre-driver education program.

Keys for Life explores different aspects of road safety for all road users and is aimed at deterring young drivers from being involved in risk-taking behaviours. Issues such as speeding, not wearing seat belts and the use of mobile phones whilst driving are discussed.

Young people, especially males aged 17–24 years, are over represented in motor vehicle accidents. It is important that we all work together in an effort to reduce road deaths and serious injuries on our roads.