Senior Physical Education Courses

Physical Education (PED) – NCEA Level 1

Level 1 Physical Education has a variety of practical and theoretical content that helps students learn and appreciate the many aspects involved in physical performances. The programme revolves around the concept of a 'franchise competition' where students get opportunities to participate in a number of different roles within the franchise, organising their own tournaments and gaining rewards and fines for behaviour, organisation, leadership, interpersonal skills and other factors. The franchise with the highest score at the end of each term receives a prize. Basketball and Disc Golf are the activities used to learn about Anatomy, Physiology and Biomechanics of the body. Disc golf is also used as the context for the practical Achievement Standard. Insights will be gained on how to improve the quality of their performance in a selected sport. This knowledge and experience can be applied to any other activity of their interest. Students develop and evaluate interpersonal skills as they run a sports tournament of their choice. Through Badminton, Rock Climbing and other sports, students investigate the many factors involved in people’s participation in sport and recreational activities.

Course Content: Refer to the Senior Curriculum Handbook to view the Achievement Standards offered in this course.

Progression to NCEA Level 2: To study Physical Education at Level 2 it will be necessary to have achieved at least 15 credits in Level 1 Physical Education. Entry to the course can also be achieved at the discretion of the HOD Physical Education. 

FAQ:

1. How many practical sessions do we do a week?
At Level 1, there are three practical sessions a week and two theory lessons. This may change over the course of the year depending on the needs of the students and the content required to be covered. Sometimes the practical sessions can focus on the learning in class and sometimes the theory precedes the practical so that we can apply what we have learnt in an active context.

2. How much of the course is assessed on your practical ability in a sport/activity?
Only one standard at each Year Level is marked solely on practical ability. The rest of the standards are made up of assessments from logs, reports, written or video assessments.

3. What are the topics/ practical activities?
There are a range of sports and activities across the three Year Levels in Physical Education.

4. Do I need to be good at those activities to do well?
No. Students are assessed on their practical performance in one Achievement Standard. You don’t have to be good at the sport to do well. Students are marked on their ability to evaluate and demonstrate their understanding in a range of contexts.

5. Is there an exam?
Physical Education is fully internally assessed at Level 1, 2 and 3. It is one of the few subjects which has an exemption from needing external credits to get an endorsement. In short, no exams at this stage.

6. Is there much writing?
Throughout the course of the year, students will be required to write log entries which outline what has been learnt in the practical setting. At Level 1 there is less of a written component. However, this increases at Level 2 and 3 as students are required to show more depth of understanding.

7. Where does Physical Education lead to?
Physical Education is a University accredited course, which means you can use it to gain University Entrance. The biophysical principles of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics will help towards a better knowledge and understanding of the body while the socio-cultural factors will help students to understand the effects on self, others and communities. The skills learnt in Physical Education are some of the essential skills that are highly sought after in many areas of society and work environments. For example, from development of interpersonal skills at Level 1, to the analysis of the effectiveness of transformational leadership at Level 3, students are provided opportunities to develop their analysis, evaluation and critical thinking skills. Life skills including strong interpersonal skills, the ability to create exercise programmes, understanding about the body in action and the ability to analyse skill application to improve performance are a major part of the programme.

8. Is Scholarship Physical Education offered?
Yes. Students who have shown an interest and aptitude in Physical Education at Level 2 will be offered the opportunity to create a report that critically analyses a topic of choice. The choice can be selected from a range of options.

Physical Education (PED) - NCEA Level 2

Minimum Entry Standard: 15 credits of Level 1 Physical Education, or at the discretion of the HOD Physical Education.

Level 2 Physical Education has an exciting mix of practical activities which assist in building knowledge and skills. The year starts with coaching Rippa Rugby and organising and running a tournament. Students will develop their leadership strategies and organisational skills through these activities. Learning about exercise prescription and training methods culminates with their participation in the Secondary Schools Tough Guy and Gal competition. Students analyse and break down the Volleyball serve to show their knowledge and understanding and are evaluated on their ability to demonstrate Social Responsibility towards the end of the year.

Course Content:  Refer to the Senior Curriculum Handbook to view the Achievement Standards offered in this course.

Progression to NCEA Level 3: To study Physical Education at Level 3 it will be necessary to have achieved at least 15 credits in Level 2 Physical Education. Entry to the course can also be achieved at the discretion of the HOD Physical Education. 

FAQ:

1. How many practical sessions do we do a week?
In Physical Education at Level 2 there are two practical sessions and three theory lessons timetabled per week. Sometimes the practical sessions can focus on the learning in class and sometimes the theory precedes the practical so that we can apply what we have learnt in an active context.

2. How much of the course is assessed on your practical ability in a sport/activity?
Only one standard at each Year Level is marked solely on practical ability. The rest of the standards are made up of assessments from logs, reports, written or video assessments.

3. What are the topics/ practical activities?
There are a range of sports and activities across the three Year Levels in Physical Education.

4. Do I need to be good at those activities to do well?
No. Students are assessed on their practical performance in one Achievement Standard. You don’t have to be good at the sport to do well. Students are marked on their ability to evaluate and demonstrate their understanding in a range of contexts.

5. Is there an exam?
Physical Education is fully internally assessed at Level 1, 2 and 3. It is one of the few subjects which has an exemption from needing external credits to get an endorsement. In short, no exams at this stage.

6. Is there much writing?
Throughout the course of the year, students will be required to write log entries which outline what has been learnt in the practical setting. At Level 1 there is less of a written component. However, this increases at Level 2 and 3 as students are required to show more depth of understanding.

7. Where does Physical Education lead to?
Physical Education is a University accredited course, which means you can use it to gain University Entrance. The biophysical principles of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics will help towards a better knowledge and understanding of the body while the socio-cultural factors will help students to understand the effects on self, others and communities. The skills learnt in Physical Education are some of the essential skills that are highly sought after in many areas of society and work environments. For example, from development of interpersonal skills at Level 1, to the analysis of the effectiveness of transformational leadership at Level 3, students are provided opportunities to develop their analysis, evaluation and critical thinking skills. Life skills including strong interpersonal skills, the ability to create exercise programmes, understanding about the body in action and the ability to analyse skill application to improve performance are a major part of the programme.

8. Is Scholarship Physical Education offered?
Yes. Students who have shown an interest and aptitude in Physical Education at Level 2 will be offered the opportunity to create a report that critically analyses a topic of choice. The choice can be selected from a range of options.

Physical Education (PED) - NCEA Level 3

Minimum Entry Standard: 15 credits in Level 2 Physical Education. Entry to the course can also be achieved at the discretion of HOD Physical Education.

Physical Education at Level 3 builds on the experiences and knowledge that have been developed over the previous two years. Students are encouraged to use critical thinking when applying biophysical and socio-cultural factors to a range of contexts. A biomechanical breakdown of the Badminton Overhead Clear followed by the implementation of a Performance Improvement Programme gives each student the opportunity to use a range of strategies to develop their game. Contemporary leadership strategies are researched and applied (as an optional standard) in an Aussie Rules context or their own coaching roles throughout the year.

Course Content:  Refer to the Senior Curriculum Handbook to view the Achievement Standards offered in this course.

FAQ:

1. How many practical sessions do we do a week?
In Physical Education at Level 3 there are two practical sessions and three theory lessons timetabled per week. Sometimes the practical sessions can focus on the learning in class and sometimes the theory precedes the practical so that we can apply what we have learnt in an active context.

2. How much of the course is assessed on your practical ability in a sport/activity?
Only one standard at each Year Level is marked solely on practical ability. The rest of the standards are made up of assessments from logs, reports, written or video assessments.

3. What are the topics/ practical activities?
There are a range of sports and activities across the three Year Levels in Physical Education.

4. Do I need to be good at those activities to do well?
No. Students are assessed on their practical performance in one Achievement Standard. You don’t have to be good at the sport to do well. Students are marked on their ability to evaluate and demonstrate their understanding in a range of contexts.

5. Is there an exam?
Physical Education is fully internally assessed at Level 1, 2 and 3. It is one of the few subjects which has an exemption from needing external credits to get an endorsement. In short, no exams at this stage.

6. Is there much writing?
Throughout the course of the year, students will be required to write log entries which outline what has been learnt in the practical setting. At Level 1 there is less of a written component. However, this increases at Level 2 and 3 as students are required to show more depth of understanding.

7. Where does Physical Education lead to?
Physical Education is a University accredited course, which means you can use it to gain University Entrance. The biophysical principles of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics will help towards a better knowledge and understanding of the body while the socio-cultural factors will help students to understand the effects on self, others and communities. The skills learnt in Physical Education are some of the essential skills that are highly sought after in many areas of society and work environments. For example, from development of interpersonal skills at Level 1, to the analysis of the effectiveness of transformational leadership at Level 3, students are provided opportunities to develop their analysis, evaluation and critical thinking skills. Life skills including strong interpersonal skills, the ability to create exercise programmes, understanding about the body in action and the ability to analyse skill application to improve performance are a major part of the programme.

8. Is Scholarship Physical Education offered?
Yes. Students who have shown an interest and aptitude in Physical Education at Level 2 will be offered the opportunity to create a report that critically analyses a topic of choice. The choice can be selected from a range of options.