Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

Personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE) is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.

According to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), students are expected to participate in PDHPE for 300 hours per year in Years 7 to 10.

PDHPE provides students with opportunities to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others – now and in the future. Students also participate in challenging and enjoyable physical activity, improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence.

Sports programs at Davidson High School

Davidson offers a range of sports programs for each year group:

Students are given an abundance of opportunities at Davidson High School to participate in a broad variety of sports.

Our devoted staff encourage them to strive for personal excellence, whether as a team member or an individual, highlighting the importance of sportsmanship, hard work and striving to achieve.

Carnivals

Everyone gets involved in these truly memorable events. Students are keen to support their house and participation is high with keen competition in both race and novelty events. These are held annually for swimming, athletics and cross country.

Knockout Sports

Students trial and are chosen as representatives competing in carnivals and competitions against other public schools in NSW. Sports may include: baseball, rugby league, basketball, touch football, rugby union, rugby 7s, cricket, soccer, and squash.

Wednesday Sports

Compulsory sport is held on Wednesday afternoon for Years 8 to 10 whilst Year 7 do integrated sport within their timetable. Students are encouraged to develop their skills and a real sense of belonging to their sports house through participation and friendly competition.

Years 7 to 10

In Years 7 to 10, students participate in a number of team and individual activities. They also learn about a number of health and personal development topics.

Students participate in cricket, softball, baseball, basketball volleyball, soccer, touch football (Oz Tag), football, netball, tag gridiron, sofcrosse, badminton, paddle tennis, callisthenics/aerobics, pilates, personal fitness, cross country, athletics, social dance, golf.

They also participate in the premiers sporting challenge. Students learn about a number of health and personal development topics including factors that affect health, risk-taking, relationships, managing puberty, healthy consumerism, drug use and abuse, perceptions of the media, self-image, sexual health matters, mental health, personal safety, road safety.

Year 7

Year 8

Year 8, 9 and 10 Sport

Year 8, 9 and 10 participate in a recreational sport of their choice such as surfing, rock climbing, weight training, beach walking, kayaking and tennis. In Terms 2 and 3, students try out for grade sport teams and play against other local schools in touch football, volleyball, basketball, netball and soccer.

Students not involved in grade teams participate in free or paid sports such as bushwalking, tennis, fitness training and team sports.

Year 9

Year 10

Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS)

Students can elect Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS) as an elective in Years 9 and 10. This course provide students will an opportunity to participate in a range of recreational sports and outdoor activities as well as provide opportunities to enter these fields as a future career.

Topics studied may include:

Practical Homework

Exercising outside of school hours, aiming for 3 times per week for at least half an hour. We encourage students to work on their aerobic capacity particularly during our fitness for life unit which runs throughout every year group and correlates with our cross country training.

Years 11 to 12

In Years 11 and 12 students can select personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE) or sport lifestyle and recreation as two-unit subjects for their HSC (Higher School Certificate).

Health and Movement Science

(formally Personal Development, Health and Physical Education - PDHPE)

This modified version of PDHPE commenced in 2024 and focuses on both health promotion and sports science based concepts.

Sport Lifestyle and Recreation

Community and Family Studies

Community and Family Studies aims to develop in students an ability to manage resources and to acquire the skills to support the needs of individuals, groups, families and communities in Australian society.

The course encourages students to develop an understanding about society and comprises components of family studies, sociology, developmental psychology and students' general life experiences.

This course focuses on skills in resource management that enable people to function effectively in their everyday lives, in families and communities. The dynamic nature of this area of study places particular importance on the skills of inquiry and investigation.

Community and Family Studies provides opportunities for students to explore and develop positive attitudes about themselves and others as well as developing an understanding of their relationships within their families and other groups. Community and Family Studies encourages students to become proactive members of society as they examine the responsibilities they have in contributing to society.

Year 11

Year 12