HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION
We've all heard the term "A healthy body ... a healthy mind." 
In the past, at Flaxmere school, we have endeavoured to develop self esteem and healthy practices in 
  • eating
  • cleanliness
  • keeping safe
  • building relationships
With the new Health and Physical Education curriculum the major change has been that we now  integrate what used to be two separate curriculum areas, although Physical Skills lessons still take place. 
 

KEY LEARNING AREAS 

We plan to cover the key learning areas in a mixture of ways. Each term over two years has a Learning Area focus which will ensure coverage of:

  • Food and Nutrition
  • Body Care and Physical Safety
  • Mental Health
  • Sexuality Education
Other Learning Areas are covered via Physical Skills programmes and school sport organisation, or linked through Science, Social Studies or Technology thematic units. 
The following Learning Areas are often covered this way:
  • Outdoor Education
  • Sports Studies
  • Physical Activity
PHYSICAL SKILLS
We are determined to ensure that the physical skills aspect of the programme remains a daily feature, yet is closely tied to other related health issues such as attitudes and total well being,  in a planned way.
We have many successful sports teams.

UNDERLYING CONCEPTS
Haora (Well Being), Health Promotion, Socio-Ecological Perspective, Attitudes and Values:
These underlying concepts of the new curriculum are incorporated into all units and reflected in learning activities.
 

SMOKE FREE IS THE WAY TO BE!
Our smoke free policy is one instance of relating health practices to the whole school community, not just the classrooms. way back in 1997 we placed signs, announcing that we are a smoke free school, at the entrances to the school. 

A Smoke Free Action Team is selected some years by the senior classes. A number of children are nominated in categories such as Art, Music, Drama, Sport and Public Speaking and then representives for every class, in each of the categories, are elected. About five children are selected from each class.  Such a team’s purpose has been to promote a Smoke free attitude in and outside the school. 

Various projects have been co-ordinated to highlight the desirability of being smoke free. Guest speakers visit our assemblies and coach basketball teams.  Several caps were prizes for answers to questions about the damage smoking can cause and a rap writing competition culminates in a performance by the winners, which the entire school looks forward to.