Health and Physical Education
Through the teaching of health and physical education at Willow Park School, we endeavour to develop resilience and a sense of personal and social responsibility in our students so that they are increasingly able to take responsibility for themselves and contribute to the well-being of those around them.
What is health and physical education about?
Four underlying and interdependent concepts are at the heart of this learning area:
· Hauora – A Maori philosophy of well-being that includes the dimensions taha wairua, taha hinengaro, taka tinana and taha whanau, each one influencing and supporting the others.
· Attitudes and values – a positive, responsible attitude on the part of students to their own well-being; respect, care, and a concern for other people and the environment; and a sense of social justice.
· The socio-ecological perspective – a way of viewing and understanding the interrelationships that exist between the individual, others, and society.
· Health promotion – a process that helps to develop and maintain supportive physical and emotional environments and that involves students in personal and collective action.
Why study health and physical education?
This learning area makes a significant contribution to the well-being of students beyond the classroom.
How is the learning area structured?
The learning activities in health and physical education arise from the integration of the four concepts above, the following four strands and their achievement objectives, and seven key areas of learning.
The four strands are:
- Personal Health and Physical Development
- Movement Concepts and Motor Skills
- Relationships with Other People
- Healthy Communities and Environments
The seven key learning areas are:
mental health, sexuality education, food and nutrition, body care and physical safety, physical activity, sports studies, and outdoor education.