Skills vital for our and health and wellbeing with an emphasis on encouraging ongoing participation in exercise as part of their lifestyle choices.
The Health and Physical Education (HPE) course at Calwell High School, aims to provide students with lifelong approaches to a healthy lifestyle. Students benefit from the Health Curriculum because it provides them with the skills and knowledge to recognise the need to make responsible and informed decisions about their personal health.
Students improve their decision-making and problem-solving skills within physical activity and sport related areas. They are encouraged to accept responsibility for their own decisions and actions, to develop self-respect, self-discipline and tolerance towards others.
Participation in a variety of sports enables the development of basic competence of gross and fine motor skills and enjoyment in a range of physical activities. The content of the Health Curriculum challenges student thinking and creativity. It is strategically sequenced to be relevant to the needs of students as they progress through their adolescent years. HPE classes at Calwell High School are divided into Junior (Y7/8 combined classes) and Senior (Y9/10 combined classes) and are comprised of approximately 40% theory and 60% practical.
As part of the HPE course, the Human Movement class offers an engaging approach to understanding how our bodies work and how we can maintain physical fitness for life. In our classes, we focus on consistency in a dynamic physical environment, combining cycles of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and weight training in the weights room. Alongside the practical aspects, we delve into theory closely related to Human Movement, providing valuable knowledge that can benefit students in their lifelong pursuit of physical activity. Join us to experience the synergy of theory and practice, preparing you for a healthier, more active future.
Calwell High School also hosts their own sporting carnivals annually in swimming, athletics and cross country. The HPE team are also responsible for organising interschool sporting teams in a large variety of sports, including but not limited to, rugby league, rugby union, AFL, volleyball, touch football, oz-tag and many more.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Our students have the opportunity to learn about themselves and the world though the experience of Outdoor Education. This course provides students with valuable practical and theory based learning including environmental care, teamwork, self discipline and reflection.
This extremely popular elective has grown rapidly since its launch and there are exciting plans to expand further in the years to come. Calwell High School has access to some amazing outdoor spaces nearby, and has developed a strong partnership with Birrigai Outdoor Education School.
Students participating in Outdoor Education will experience some amazing activities, including surfing, snorkelling, rock climbing, canoeing, abseiling and caving. These overnight camps and day trips will forge wonderful memories that stay with students forever!
ADVANCED OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Advanced Outdoor Education is the follow on from Outdoor Education 1 and 2. Students must apply in order to be in the class. Advanced Outdoor Education completes Vocation and Training competencies from the Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation Qualification. This is a nationally recognised qualification which can be used as a foot into the industry or to simply sit on the resume as proof of being dedicated, committed and motivated. We endeavour to complete the full qualification by the end of the year. Our assessments are competencies based on the activities done during our camps each term.
All of the Advanced Outdoor Ed camps for 2024 are 3 days. Term 1 we stay at Booderee Nation Park in Jervis Bay. We camping at Bristol point, snorkelling and surfing at the surrounding locations depending on prevailing conditions. Term 2's camp is an overnight walk in Bungonia with a day of caving for the third day. In Term 3 we head to Kosciuszko Nation Park for a Cross Country Skiing trip culminating (weather permitting) in summitting mount Kosciuszko in winter. And in Term 4, we head up to the Blue Mountains for a 3 day Canyoning and Abseiling camp. Cost for all the camps are kept as low as possible due to the qualifications held by staff, however if for any reason cost becomes prohibitive, there are a variety of avenues that can be explored.
Outdoor education offers numerous benefits, including:
Overall, Advanced Outdoor Education has an holistic approach to learning and personal development, promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being while fostering a deeper connection to nature, peers and the world around us.
