Throughout Terms 2 and 3, the Health and Physical Education (HPE) Faculty faced the challenging question: how can St Catherine’s students remain active despite the restrictions of COVID-19? By adapting the Curriculum, the HPE staff were pivotal in supporting the health and wellbeing of our students.

All Year 7-10 students gained an understanding of the Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, which state that those aged 5-17 years old should accumulate 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. These students enjoyed the opportunity to take ownership of managing their physical activity through the creation of a personalised activity plan, as well as their own 7-minute and 20-minute workout. They also completed an active scavenger hunt and were encouraged to meet up with a classmate to foster the social and mental benefits that come from exercising with a friend. Despite missing team-based activities, the skills and independence gained throughout this experience will assist in maintaining lifelong, regular physical activity.

We gladly welcome students back for on-site Health and Physical Education lessons for Term 4. When walking the school grounds, it has been wonderful to hear the energy and excitement that accompanies a class of students involved in physical activity.

Highlights of Term 4 will include:

• Our Year 8 classes engaging in a student led, ‘SEPEP’ Soccer Unit in which the students act as coaches, umpires, team managers, as well as players for their team.
• The Year Unit 1 and 2 Physical Education class completing dissections to develop their understanding of the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems.
• Our Year 7 and 9 classes undertaking Puberty and Sexuality Education during their Health lessons.
• The Year 10 cohort completing their teen Mental Health First Aid certificate.