2006 School Magazine

Health&Physical Education The Building Blocks of Life il i l f if

Health&Physical Education

that the girls will find something (instead of, or in addition to, the more widely accepted physical activities) that they can see themselves continuing with beyond school. Social support is an essential element not only to resilience but to consistent, regular physical activity. Aerobics is a physical activity that gains momentum as a focus fromYear 10 to Year 12. As a high intensity activity it encourages adequate physical activity to build resilience against mental health problems. Knowing that around 40 per cent of our children do not participate in organised sport and an estimated 1.5 million young people under the age of 18 are

build knowledge which will allow them to protect against incorrect and insufficient exercise regimes. Year 8 Jump Rope for Heart participation and fundraising for the National Heart Foundation provides the health-related fitness focus needed to encourage physical activity. The Health, Physical Education and Sport Faculty continue to provide students with opportunities to develop essential knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. It enables them to make informed decisions about their health behaviours and to develop resilience in a supportive and challenging environment. In essence, it enables them to develop the building blocks of life.

Sophie Reed (12B) and Samantha Degn (12R)

Margaret Yule (12W) and Chelsea Salisbury (12L)

units empower students with resilience-developing skills to allow them to protect themselves and care for their peers. As they prepare for their final year of school and their leadership roles throughout it, tower building is one activity where these roles are investigated. This type of activity encourages the girls to explore group dynamics and to see themselves as part of the bigger picture and the responsibilities that are inherent within that. Following a review of Year 11 student feedback this year, the core Health and Physical Education programme was redesigned. In Fit for Life, the girls were given the opportunity to experience a range of recreational physical activities, including Rockclimbing. With exposure to a wide range of activities, it is hoped

As the building structure at Brisbane Girls Grammar School rises, so too does the health and well-being of students of Health and Physical Education. Participation in Core Health and Physical Education equips students with building blocks. One of these blocks is resilience and if well- developed, it can stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.

overweight or obese, it is important to maintain this physical focus.

Ms Gwynfa Johnston Head of Health and Physical Education

Why is it that some people seem to bounce back from life’s challenges as if they are connected to a bungeerope?Youngpeoplemanage the stresses and strains of life in very different ways and those who are able to bounce back from the difficult times are said to be “resilient”. Resilience is a major factor in maintaining positive mental health.Given that the Health

and Physical Education Faculty is most responsible for aiding and developing student health andwell- being, it has become increasingly aware of a developing set of societal expectations. Pressure from the media, government and community to ‘solve’ a plethora of societal problems within health education continues to place

demands on curriculumdelivery. On the other hand, there is a significant body of research that suggests the enhancement of a child’s health status improves their education achievements. There is also evidence that health outcomes can be improved by conducting comprehensive health education programmes in schools. Year 11 Women’s Health and Leadership

Year 9 work emphasising the planning of fitness programmes and Year 10 efforts to appreciate the principles of fitness in a physiological context create opportunities for students to

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Br isbane Gir ls Grammar School

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