Health

Friends’ is a health-promoting school and a holistic approach is taken to the study of Health and Physical Education.

Social, emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health are the foci of teaching and learning in all areas of this curriculum. Students are encouraged to value, maintain and promote a healthy lifestyle.

The Year 9 and 10 Health Framework incorporates Physical Education, Health Theory, Sport Science, and Outdoor Education. These courses are offered to students in a variety of ways. The Physical Education and Health Theory course aligns with the Australian Curriculum and is compulsory in Years 9 and 10. The elective subject Sport Science offers two distinct and separate units that can be studied in Year 9 or Year 10. All students in Year 9 participate in a week long Outdoor Education experience. Students in Year 10 can choose to participate in weekend Year 10 trips and/or the extended Tassie Icon program. Students can also choose the elective course Outdoor Education in Year 10, which incorporates the theory, planning and preparation for outdoor adventures. 

Physical Education Years 9 and 10

In Year 9 there is an emphasis on sports-based activities incorporating a game sense understanding. Students participate in a wide variety of sports that demand adaptation of already-developed general skills. Other areas explored in Physical Education include creative dance, body and spatial awareness skills and aquatic activity.

Year 10 students engage in a recreation-focused program where the emphasis is on planning for an active and healthy life after school. Students explore community and recreational activity options, including fitness experiences at Friends Health & Fitness. In addition, there are sport-based activities, selected on an interest basis, and students take a proactive role in coaching, officiating and participating in these team-based sports. Students can elect to participate in an aquatic program to gain the competencies to attain the RLSS Bronze Medallion certificate.

In Years 9 and 10 there is an underlying emphasis placed on improving students’ fitness, with most lessons incorporating a combination of both skill and fitness activities.

Health Theory Years 9 and 10

In Year 9 Health Theory, students explore issues relating to wellbeing, protective behaviours, harm minimisation, mindfulness, decision-making, respectful relationships, sexual health and self-responsibility. Curriculum from The Resilience Project is incorporated in the Year 9 theory program. 

In Year 10 Health Theory, students analyse issues and strategies to sustain lifelong health and wellbeing. They explore contextual factors that influence their health and examine the personal qualities, social skills, and communication skills required to support decisions they make now and in the future. Students continue to evaluate respectful relationships and explore issues related to sexuality, sexual health, personal identity, and diversity. They discuss and review these topics in a supported environment.  

Year 10 students also participate in the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness program that explores responsibilities inherent in becoming a safe motorist.

Outdoor Education Years 9 and 10

In Year 9, all students participate in a multi-day, multi-night program. The main goals for the program are to extend understanding of the natural environments and self.  Students explore biomes such as ancient forests, coast, ocean, subalpine, beaches and bays. Activities include rafting, sea kayaking, coasteering, river sledding, mountain biking and bushwalking. This program is a progression from Year 8 experiences with an increased focus on self-direction, management and teamwork.

The Year 10 Outdoor Education program caters for a wide base of student skill level and interest. Students are encouraged to apply to participate in weekend bush walks, mountain biking, snow camping and kayaking experiences. Year 10 students may also apply to participate in extended outdoor experiences offered in the school term breaks. These programs explore iconic Tasmanian locations such as hiking the Overland Track, rafting through takayna or sea kayaking at Freycinet.

Year 10 students can also choose the elective subject Outdoor Education 10.

Health Elective Subjects

Please see the descriptions of these subjects on the following pages: