From the PDHPE Department
Year 8 First Aid & Vaping Awareness Incursion
Empowering Students with Life-Saving Skills and Informed Choices
On Monday, the 16th of June 2025, our Year 8 students took part in a highly engaging and educational First Aid Awareness and Vaping Education Incursion, led by our dedicated PDHPE teaching team. The incursion provided students with hands-on training and meaningful discussions aimed at building both emergency response skills and critical awareness around vaping.
Throughout the day, students rotated through a series of practical sessions that included:
The incursion was met with enthusiasm and thoughtful engagement, with students sharing many positive takeaways:
“Learning about CPR and using an EpiPen helped me feel more confident if I ever need to help someone in an emergency.”
“I found the vaping modules really eye-opening, especially learning how addiction starts and how companies target young people.”
“The practicals were my favourite – being able to try CPR and EpiPen training made it more fun and realistic.”
“I now know the differences in performing CPR on adults versus babies, which was something I had never learned before.”
“The incursion taught me real-life skills that I will carry with me forever – it was fun, engaging, and important.”
We commend our Year 8 students for their active participation and insightful reflections. A special thank you to our PDHPE staff for designing such a meaningful and relevant learning experience. This incursion not only aligned with the PDHPE curriculum but also fostered a sense of personal responsibility, community care, and lifelong preparedness.
On Monday, the 16th of June 2025, our Year 8 students took part in a highly engaging and educational First Aid Awareness and Vaping Education Incursion, led by our dedicated PDHPE teaching team. The incursion provided students with hands-on training and meaningful discussions aimed at building both emergency response skills and critical awareness around vaping.
Throughout the day, students rotated through a series of practical sessions that included:
- CPR training on adult and infant dummies
- The DRSABCD emergency response plan
- Using a defibrillator (AED)
- Treating asthma, anaphylaxis, and epilepsy
- Practising with training EpiPens
- The physical and mental health effects of vaping
- How peer pressure and marketing influence adolescent choices
- Refusal strategies and assertive communication skills
- Health promotion through poster creation and interactive modules
The incursion was met with enthusiasm and thoughtful engagement, with students sharing many positive takeaways:
“Learning about CPR and using an EpiPen helped me feel more confident if I ever need to help someone in an emergency.”
“I found the vaping modules really eye-opening, especially learning how addiction starts and how companies target young people.”
“The practicals were my favourite – being able to try CPR and EpiPen training made it more fun and realistic.”
“I now know the differences in performing CPR on adults versus babies, which was something I had never learned before.”
“The incursion taught me real-life skills that I will carry with me forever – it was fun, engaging, and important.”
We commend our Year 8 students for their active participation and insightful reflections. A special thank you to our PDHPE staff for designing such a meaningful and relevant learning experience. This incursion not only aligned with the PDHPE curriculum but also fostered a sense of personal responsibility, community care, and lifelong preparedness.
Mr Paulo Ibanez
(PDHPE/Science Teacher)
Assistant Leader of Learning PDHPE (Years 5-12)
Year 11 HMS ACPE Excursion
Exploring Health and Sport Science in Action at Sydney Olympic Park
On Tuesday, the 17th of June, our Year 11 Health and Movement Science (HMS) students participated in an exciting and enriching excursion to the Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE), located at Sydney Olympic Park. This experience offered students a unique opportunity to explore university-level learning and discover how theory translates into practical applications within the world of sport, health, and fitness.
Throughout the day, students engaged in hands-on workshops and theoretical sessions focused on exercise science, fitness testing, and energy systems. They gained valuable insights into how the body produces energy during different forms of physical activity and how elite athletes use performance data to optimise training.
A key highlight was the VO₂ Max testing, where students observed how oxygen uptake is measured during intense exercise—an advanced method used to assess aerobic endurance. Students also had the chance to participate in practical sessions, including sprint testing, gym-based exercises, and designing fitness routines relevant to real-world applications.
Student Reflections – Highlights from the Day
“I learnt about the three energy systems: ATP-PC, glycolytic, and oxidative. It was great to see these concepts applied during our practical activities like the 20m sprint race.”
“It was really exciting to use the gym and come up with our own list of exercises—it felt like real personal training!”
“The VO₂ Max test was really interesting. Watching a classmate go through the test helped me understand how athletes measure and improve their fitness levels.”
“I gained a better understanding of what ATP is and how it works in the body. The connection between science and sport really stood out to me.”
“I now understand how careers in sport and health can be shaped through hands-on learning and industry pathways. It made me think seriously about future university options.”
This excursion was a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the HMS curriculum while gaining exposure to pathways in health, sport science, and physical education. We thank ACPE for hosting such an interactive day and commend our students for their enthusiastic participation and mature engagement throughout the experience.
Mr Paulo Ibanez
(PDHPE/Science Teacher)
Assistant Leader of Learning PDHPE (Years 5-12)
