At Pender’s Grove Primary School, our Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum plays a vital role in supporting students’ physical, mental, social and emotional development. Grounded in the Victorian Curriculum, this domain equips students with the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to lead healthy, active and balanced lives—both now and into the future.
Promoting Lifelong Health and Wellbeing
Health and Physical Education is unique in its potential to impact all aspects of student wellbeing. Through active participation in physical activity, sport and health education, students:
- Develop movement competence and motor skills
- Improve physical fitness, flexibility and coordination
- Learn to make informed decisions about their physical and mental health
- Explore the importance of healthy lifestyle choices
- Gain confidence in their ability to participate in team sports and individual activities
By combining physical development with social and emotional learning, the program supports students in becoming resilient, self-aware and community-minded individuals.
Building Skills Through Participation
From non-competitive games to structured team sports, students progress from developing basic motor skills to mastering complex movement patterns. They also learn to:
- Follow and apply rules for safe play
- Use sporting equipment responsibly
- Take on different roles such as player, coach, umpire or organiser
- Collaborate effectively with peers and contribute to team performance
Understanding Health and Human Development
The Health curriculum also covers developmental changes across the human lifespan, including:
- Physical growth and development
- Puberty and personal identity
- Understanding human sexuality and emotional wellbeing
- Evaluating stereotypes and cultural influences
Students are encouraged to discuss these topics in a safe and respectful environment, helping them form healthy attitudes and a strong sense of self.
Safety, Challenge and Risk Awareness
Through a focus on safety and risk management, students learn how to:
- Identify potential dangers in various situations
- Respond appropriately to risky or harmful behaviours
- Make informed choices to protect their own and others’ wellbeing
These lessons are practical and empowering, encouraging students to take responsibility for their actions and develop the confidence to speak up when needed.
Exploring Food and Nutrition
Students also explore the role of nutrition in maintaining health. The curriculum includes:
- Understanding the benefits of a balanced diet
- Investigating factors that influence food choices
- Exploring how diet impacts long-term health and prevention of disease
- These lessons lay the foundation for healthy habits that students can carry into adulthood.
Annual School Swimming Program
As part of the Health and PE program, Pender’s Grove runs an annual swimming program for all students from Foundation to Year 6. This intensive one-week program provides daily 45-minute lessons at local pools in Northcote or Ivanhoe, helping students build confidence and water safety skills in a supportive setting.
Learn More
For more information about the Victorian Curriculum for Health and Physical Education, visit the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).
