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Gorokan High School

Gorokan High School

RESPECT | RESPONSIBILITY | PERSONAL BEST

Telephone02 4393 7000

Emailgorokan-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Personal development, health and physical education

GHS PDHPE (Personal Development, Health and Physical Education) 

Gorokan High Schools PDHPE staff are young, energetic and relatable to the students.  Their philosophy is to enhance student's knowledge in multiple health contexts to empower students to make positive, informed decisions about their own lives.  They also aim to provide many sporting opportunities inside and outside of the school for students of all skill levels.


 Current Staff

Lisa Ricketts - Head Teacher PDHPE - lisa.spencer2@det.nsw.edu.au

Benjamyn Glachan - 2IC Head Teacher PDHPE - benjamyn.glachan@det.nsw.edu.au

Samson Underwood - Year 8 Year Advisor - samson.underwood3@det.nsw.edu.au

Luke Sharpe - Sports Coordinator - luke.sharpe8@det.nsw.edu.au

Holly Buchanan - Sports Coordinator - holly.buchanan1@det.nsw.edu.au

Todd Buxton - todd.buxton1@det.nsw.edu.au

Karl Sweeney - karl.sweeney1@det.nsw.edu.au

Sean Glachan - Year 7 Year Advisor - sean.glachan1@det.nsw.edu.au

Jodie Turton - jodie.turton4@det.nsw.edu.au


 About PDHPE

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) develops the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes important for students to take positive action to protect and enhance their own and others' health, safety and wellbeing in varied and changing contexts.  Physical education is fundamental to the acquisition of movement skills and concepts to enable students to participate in a range of physical activies - confidently, competently and creatively.

Gorokan High's Swimming and Athletics Carnivals

The study of PDHPE provides students with the opportunity to enhance and develop resilience and connectedness and learn to interact respectfully with others.  Through PDHPE students develop the skills to research, apply, appraise and critically analyse health and movement concepts in order to maintain and improve their health, safety, wellbeing and participation in physical activity.  Students are provided with opportunities to learn to critique and challenge assumptions, attitudes, behaviours and stereotypes and evaluate a range of health-related sources, services and organisations.  They develop a commitment to the qualities and characteristics that promote and develop empathy, resilience, respectful relationships, inclusivity and social justice.  Students practise, develop and refine the physical, cognitive, social and emotional skills that are important for engaging in movement and leading a health, safe and physically active life.

Gorokan High's very talented Surfing Team

Learning in PDHPE reflects the dynamic nature of health, safety, wellbeing and participation in physical activity in the context of a diverse and rapidly changing society.  It addresses health and physical activity concepts of importance to students and highlights the influences that contextual factors have on personal values, attitudes and behaviours.  PDHPE provides students with an experiential curriculum that is comtemporary, relevant, challenging and physically active.  The syllabus is designed to give all schools flexibility to treat sensitive issues in a manner relective of their own context and ethos.

Gorokan has numerous sporting opportunities for it's students including AFL and Cricket

Through PDHPE, students develop self-management, interpersonal and movement skills to help them become empowered, self-confident and socially responsible citizens.  Students learn in movement, about movement and through movement and are given opportunities to apply and adapt their skills across multiple contexts.  The learning experiences in PDHPE provide students with a foundation to actively contribute to, and advocate for, the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others in the community and beyond school.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) contributes to the development of students cognitive, social, emotional, physical and spiritual health.  It also help develop resilience, places an emphasis on the importance of physical activity and provides ample opportunities for students to learn how to live productive, healthy and happy life.

Year 7 Passion Projects - Students select projects that they are passionate about and participate in them throughout the term

PDHPE is mandatory for all students from K-10, each year preparing students for the many facets of life.  Students explore mental health, sexual health, physical activity, drug use, personal safety, nutrition, discrimination, relationships and gender roles.  With such heavy subject matter, our teachers impart sensitivity, care, inclusivity and balance, to ensure all students feel encouraged to have a voice.

PDHPE aims to develop student's competency in different movement contexts that enhances their enjoyment and appeals to their interests, that will ultimately lead to the enhanced possibility of lifelong physical activity.





Personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE) is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.

According to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), students are expected to participate in PDHPE for 300 hours per year in Years 7 to 10.

PDHPE provides students with opportunities to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others – now and in the future. Students also participate in challenging and enjoyable physical activity, improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence.

In Year 11 and 12, courses available include:

  • Community and Family Studies
  • Exploring Early Childhood
  • Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
  • Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies.