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 between 1.5 and 2.5 hours per week in Kindergarten to Year 6 and 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.
Personal development, health and physical education faculty
The faculty mission statement: To assist the students to develop the skills to lead a healthy lifestyle through sound excerse and dietary habits, developing awareness of risk taking activities, learning skills to manage rish through developing resilience and an awareness of the importance of positive mental health.
Students at Farrer are encouraged to develop healthy active lifestyles and are offered a variety of activities during their Personal Development, Health and Physical Education lessons. All students in years 7-10 complete lifesaving awards in the school pool. These awards are important in developing water safety and lifesaving skills. The PDHPE program challenges students to improve on their talents and develop an understanding of the importance of lifelong physical activity and other sound health practices. The boys will make use of some excellent facilities including competition class diving boards, an outstanding weights room, well kept grounds, a multi purpose centre, tennis courts and a golf course.
Courses offered
Elective physical activity and sports studies - year 9 and 10
This course encourages students to understand and appreciate the physical, biological and technological areas involved in sport and to analyse and solve problems in the sports area.
Year 11 and 12 elective
The year 11 and 12 elective is an HSC 2 unit course which involves students learning to maintain active healthy lifestyles and improving their health status. Boys will view health as a social entity where the principles of diversity, social justice and supportive environments are encouraged. They will also be engaged in a detailed study of movement and physical activity. Senior students may also choose to study Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation which offers a wide variety of sport and recreation activities which enables students to plan and adopt healthy lifestyles.