PE & Health Learning Area

He oranga ngākau, he pikinga waiora.

In Health and Physical Education, the focus is on the well-being of the students themselves, of other people, and of society through learning in health-related and movement contexts.

Four underlying and interdependent concepts are at the heart of this learning area:

  • Hauora – a Māori philosophy of well-being that includes the dimensions taha wairua, taha hinengaro, taha tinana, and taha whānau, 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 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. 

– Ministry of Education, Te Mātaiaho, The New Zealand Curriculum

Subjects Offered in 2024

The Learning Area of Physical Education & Health includes the following subjects in 2024:

  • Physical Education & Health in Years 9 & 10
  • Physical Education in Years 11, 12 & 13
  • Sport in Year 10
  • Food & Nutrition in Years 10, 11 & 12  
  • Hospitality in Year 12

Physical Education, Health & Sport Subjects

Physical Education and Health is available at all year levels and is compulsory up to Year 10.  As students move into Year 11 (Senior School), they can study Physical Education, including components of sport, outdoor education and leadership. All senior courses have a balance of physical activity and theory.

Year 10 Sport is an option class that focuses on different aspects of Sport & Physical Education. Four main themes make up the course – coaching and leadership, skill learning, fitness management and event management.

The practical components of the Year 11 course include volleyball, lacrosse, netball, paddle boarding, mountain biking, fitness training, sports performance and coaching. Classroom-based study of topics including anatomy, biomechanics and exercise physiology, leadership and risk analysis supports this practical learning.

In Year 12, students study leadership, sociology, event management, risk management and mountain biking.  Students may also undertake practical assessments in triathlon, volleyball, futsal, juggling and touch.

In Year 13, students study leadership, sociology, risk management, biomechanical and anatomy analysis and fitness programs. Students undertake practical components including ultimate frisbee, swimming, fitness training, and outdoor pursuits.

Students studying Food and Nutrition will, throughout their learning, gain experiences, knowledge, attributes, and life skills that can lead to, and support a wide range of pathways. This includes roles in the fields of sports, education, business management, hospitality, tourism, health, media and publishing, government, policy, and law.

Food & Hospitality Subjects

Year 10 Food is a course created from aspects of the technology curriculum, the health/home economics curriculum and practical skills that can lead into Hospitality.

In Year 11 Food the course is designed to cover learning from the Technology, Home Economics/Health curriculums as well as Hospitality. The course will focus on cuisines from different cultures, practical application of this knowledge in ‘outdoor’ cooking including BBQ (USA, Kiwi and Korean styles), Hangi and camping/tramping. We will explore sustainability in the world of food, and look at the reasons why people choose the food they do in terms of personal, inter-personal and societal impacts on that food choices.

In Year 12 Food students investigate and analyse ideas around food preferences and food choices.  Students will gain greater understanding of how relationships, beliefs, attitudes, sustainability, and nutrition can impact our health and well-being. The course will be delivered through both practical cooking and theory lessons, guest speakers, and trips.

Year 12 Hospitality is for students who are interested in hospitality, and especially a career in cookery, the programme is an ideal introduction to the art and science of preparing, cooking and serving food.

With 41 Level 2 credits across 16 Unit Standards, the New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality your students will gain, not only gives them valuable life skills and knowledge, but could also be their entrée into a wide range of hospitality careers. We have designed the programme, with input from schools, to support your students’ employment opportunities in cookery. Graduates will be capable of operating at an entry level under general supervision. 

For more information, contact Mark Oates (Head of Physical Education, Food and Health) at mark.oates@hvhs.school.nz