Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

Welcome to the PDHPE Faculty!

... Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want...

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

The courses we offer within the PDHPE faculty 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.

Along with a dedicated dance space, a fitness lab and 21st Century learning classrooms, PDHPE regularly utilises local sporting facilities. Venues such as the Peninsula Leisure Centre, local sport fields and local waterways are used to conduct our learning programs.

Inspire – High potential and gifted education

Celebrating our High Potential & Gifted Athletes

Sport

Participate in a range of sporting activities and programs for fitness and fun.

Subjects

Stage 5

Child Studies (Elective)

Dance (Elective)

Outdoor Education (Elective)

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

Physical Activity and Sport Studies (Elective)

Sport

Stage 6

Community and Family Studies

Dance

Exploring Early Childhood (CEC)

Health and Movement Science

Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies (CEC)

Representative Teams

Brisbane Water Secondary Campus has a proud tradition and reputation for high achievement across a range of sports. We have an extensive sport program for all students including teams involved in state wide knockout competitions and yearly carnivals in swimming, cross country running and athletics.

Testament to the success of our sport programs, we have had numerous students represent school sport at state and national level with many ex-students going on to claim world championship titles, and represent our country at both Olympic and national level.

State wide knockout competitions available at BWSC

Baseball, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Rugby League Opens, Softball, Table Tennis, Tennis, Touch Football, Volleyball, Water Polo

External Sporting opportunities:

NSW Futsal, Oz Tag carnival, Orienteering , Table Tennis, Aerobics

CHS Carnivals:

Swimming, Cross Country, Athletics

Duke of Edinburgh Award

About the Award

The Award is a leading structured (non-formal education) youth development program, empowering all young Australians aged 14-24 to explore their full potential and find their purpose, passion and place in the world, regardless of their location or circumstance. The Award is a fully inclusive program and has no social, political, or religious affiliations.

How is an Award Achieved?

To achieve an Award, each young person must learn a skill, improve their physical well being, volunteer in their community and experience a team adventure in a new environment. All Participants are supported by a network of adult Award Leaders, Assessors, and Supervisors.

The key elements of our program are:

  • Open to all young people aged 14 to 24.
  • Three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold – each progressively more challenging.
  • Four Sections: Physical Recreation, Skills, Voluntary Service, Adventurous Journey plus Gold Residential Project (Gold Level only).
  • Achieving an Award recognises individual goal setting and self-improvement through persistence and achievement.

Time requirements:

  • Bronze – minimum 6 months ($153)
  • Silver – minimum 6 months if completed Bronze otherwise 12 months for direct entrants ($163)
  • Gold – minimum 12 months if completed Silver otherwise 18 months for direct entrants ($188)

What impact does the Award have on a young person?

Through this challenging journey of self-discovery, our Participants:

  • Are equipped and empowered to achieve their personal best
  • Learn to take responsibility for their goals and choices
  • Become connected to and actively engaged within their immediate community
  • Make a real difference to society through their positive contributions and involvement
  • Learn to persevere and overcome barriers to success
  • Learn important life skills
  • Increase their career opportunities.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is an internationally recognised program for young people, building their skills to equip them for life and work. By creating opportunities for young people to develop skills, get physically active, give service and experience adventure, the Award can play a critical role in their development.

The choice to do the Award is entirely voluntary and every Award is different. Each Participant chooses what activities they want to take part in for each Section. It is a very personal program that offers young people a structure to fulfill their passions and ambitions in a way that suits them. Apart from the requirements for each Section, and the safety training requirements for the Adventurous Journey Section, the activities a Participant chooses to undertake is entirely up to them. They have the freedom to progress through the Award according to their personal needs and abilities. There are no limits to watch you can achieve!

For further information about the Award, please see Mr Ruzek in the PDHPE department.

Past BWSC Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions

  • Kokoda Expedition
  • BWSC to Mt Ku-ring-gai
  • Blue Mountains 2 day Hike
  • Bundeena to Otford Hike
  • Hornsby to Mt Ku-ring-gai
  • BWSC to Mac Masters Beach
  • Overland Track Tasmania
School Carnivals

BWSC Senior Campus conducts a Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country carnival.

Participation in these carnivals is required for Zone representation.

In addition to whole school carnivals, round robin competitions and gala days are held throughout the year.

Child Studies

Explore Child Studies for skills and knowledge in child development and care.

Exploring Early Childhood

Gain experience and understanding in supporting and educating young children through our Early Childhood course.

Our Staff

PDHPE Faculty

Kate Rowell, Head Teacher Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

Victoria Beasley, PDHPE Teacher

Ashton Carroll, PDHPE Teacher

Patrick Crouch, PDHPE Teacher and Head Teacher Learning & Engagement

Jessica Crowther, PDHPE Teacher

Katrina Dillon, PDHPE & Dance Teacher

Jill Elliot, PDHPE & Thrive Teacher and Year 11 Advisor

Roman Myszkowski, PDHPE Teacher and Head Teacher Wellbeing

Learning

Find out about our approach to learning and supporting students to progress.

Additional learning support

Discover how we ensure every student feels safe and ready to learn, including those with disabilities and additional learning needs.